SG-VHV put together an awesome 2013 Relay for Life Team under the direction of Mr. John Cook. Although SG-VHV had previously provided financial support to other Relay for Life teams, this was the first time our organization has put together our own team.
Mr. John Cook with some direction from Mr. Howard Hawk, began this venture many months ago. Putting together a team and exceeding our goal was the main focus of Mr. Cook. After attending several Relay for Life meetings and organizing the SG-VHV members, we were ready to go.
Our team consist of the following members:
SG-VHV TEAM CAPTAIN - John Cook
SG-VHV WALKERS: Michael Barker, Jonathan Haywood, Karen Powell, Adrian Atkins, John Robertson, Lillian Estes, Sheila Timmons, Audrey Hill, Joseph Hill, Renee Howard & other SGVHV Team Members.
Our SG-VHV Cancer Survivors were Syndey and Tillmon Stabler.
As the time continued to pass, the weather grew colder but the SG-VHV Team continued with our mission to keep someone on the track. It became a time of supporting and encouraging others that we can do this, as the team’s spirit continue to rise.
But the highlight of the night began around 4:00am on Saturday morning, May 4, when we noticed a Sgt. Neal Wren who had been on the track since approximately 7:45pm, Friday May 3rd, was still walking the track with such determination. This solider was in full Army gear, including his boots and his back pack which weighed over 45lbs. At the beginning of the Event, his friend Sgt. Kawa was walking with him but he stated his knees were bad and he just couldn’t continue. As Sgt. Wren walked alone, he stated his mission was to complete 111 laps, which was over 27 miles. At that time he was on lap 96 and he was determined to continue. You could visibly see his legs weakening from the load but his determination was still in control.
The SG-VHV Relay for Life Team Captain, John Cook is a Retired First Sergeant and his military instinct took over as he seemed to be witnessing one of his own soldiers in need. Mr. Cook got up and started walking with Sgt Wren. At first it was small talk but as the two seemed to bond, you could hear constant encouragement telling Sgt. Wren that he could make it. As the two continued to walk, several other Relay For Life walkers, rallied around and began to walk Sgt. Wren & 1st Sergeant Cook.
The genuine care and concern the walkers showed for one another displayed why America is the greatest country of all. As Sgt. Wren and his new found team entered his final lap, the DJ played “I’m Proud to be an American” and when Sgt. Neal Wren crossed the finish line, you would have thought all the people who had gather around him had also completed 111 laps. There was laughter, tears and many congratulations given to Sgt. Neal Wren.
During the victory lap, yes he wanted to take just one more lap (but without the back pack), we asked Sgt Wren a lot of questions. We found Sgt. Neal Wren is stationed at Fort Hood in the 4/5 Air Defense Artillery, 69 Brigade. He signed up for the Relay for Life Event as his current 1st Sergeant, Sgt. Martinelle and his wife are active in this event and asked several of the soldiers to participate. Sgt Wren stated as he continued to walk, he thought about his own grandfather, Louis Skulavik who had died from cancer. His grandfather was once stationed at Fort Hood and he also fought in the Pacific during WWII. I am sure his grandfather would have been proud.
SG-VHV Salutes Sgt. Neal Wren for a job well done and we also Salute our own Team Leader 1st Sergeant John Cook!
