Avionics trio run in memory of friends, co-workers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sarah Gregory
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  It is often said things come in threes. Whether or not the adage holds true, the number three was symbolic for a group of friends who ran the Treviso Marathon March 30. 

Three friends, 2nd Lt. Jared Struck and Master Sgts. Doug Campfield and James Prior, dedicated their run to three of their co-workers and friends, who passed away in the November Blackhawk helicopter crash about 22 miles southeast of Aviano. 

Running 26.1 miles takes dedication and extreme motivation. As the runners lined up at the starting point, all they thought about were the three men who were a part of their lives, both at work and at play: Staff Sgts. Robert Rogers and Mark Spence and Senior Airman Kenny Hauprich. 

"When we went over the bridge [near the crash], that's when we started thinking seriously about our friends," said Sergeant Prior. 

The run, organized by the Alpini Group and Italian military in honor of WWI veterans, was something the 31st Maintenance Squadron trio had planned for months. 

"We all run together and had wanted to do a race together," said Sergeant Prior. "We were running a Volksmarch [an organized run] and a friend of ours pointed out that one of the starting points was close to the crash site, so we decided to switch our starting points." 

The race course was split into three different starting points, with runners merging together just before the 14-mile mark. Runners at each starting point were given a colored hat to represent the three colors that make up the Italian flag. 

"All these different runners merge and run to the finish line red, green and white all mixed together," said Lieutenant Struck. "It was definitely the best run I've done in Italy. There was a real sense Italian pride and there was a huge military presence." 

Although their friends were all very athletic, Sergeant Prior said they weren't long-distance runners. Kenny was a wide-receiver for the Griffoni American football team, while Mark was the most competitive of the three. All liked to play ultimate football or Frisbee together, and they were some of the faster runners in the group. 

"If they were here, they'd say 'You're freakin' nuts!'" said Sergeant Prior. "The last time I saw Rob, no kidding, was after PT one day, which was pretty strenuous, and I went out for another run afterward. I saw Rob coming out of the shoppette and as I'm running by, he's looking at me laughing and smiling. I pointed to him and he's laughing with that smile that says, 'You crazy idiot.'" 

Part of losing someone is learning to remember them and the good things they brought into your life. This run was a way for Doug, James and Jared to do just that. 

"Rob, Mark and Kenny were not only our workmates .... they were our friends," said Sergeant Prior.