Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Thursday, March 28, 2024
 
“Color Guard” will run the Osprey 10K race while carrying flags
 

On April 7, at 9 a.m. the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park will host the third annual Osprey 10K run/5K run-walk. As in previous years the “Color Guard” will be running the 10K while carrying flags. Their goal is to bring honor and awareness to our troops serving and in harm’s way. They will each carry a flag; United States, Virginia State, Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. 
 
Steve Bozeman, the organizer of the Color Guard, said that shortly after 9/11, he put out a “Call to Run” to see if there was interest in raising public awareness about the military and their sacrifices.  “We got a great response and just weeks after the 9/11 attack on our homeland we started running the Virginia Ten Miler in Lynchburg.  That was the beginning of a great tradition.” He said, “We do this to bring awareness that our freedoms are at a cost to those who serve in the five military branches and their families, who have made many sacrifices over the 241 years of being a free nation.  Bozeman said they have about 30 patriotic runners in the group and will have enough volunteers for the Osprey race, to carry the seven flags. 

George Broman, one of the flag carriers said, “I’ve never served our country in the Armed Forces. I am a proud American who has traveled and lived overseas as an adult, and have a deep appreciation of just how wonderful this country is and can be.  I carry the flag for two reasons: It’s a way for me to honor those who have served, and all too often given their lives to secure this country and way of life so many take for granted.  Secondly, to call people to everyday patriotism, to honor and be proud of this country, and to do their part to keep it great.”