For a decade, the City of Ruston has hosted its annual Veterans Day Celebration. And with this being the 10th Anniversary of the event, the Veterans Day Committee has added something special.
“It’s a privilege for us to honor the selfless acts and sacrifices of our military men and women,” said Jessica Greer, Sr. VolunteerUNITED Manager and Committee Chair. “Each year it’s always so special to present our city’s Veterans Day Celebration, but we wanted to make this year’s celebration extra special.”
One of the new additions is the Liberty Ruck 5K, an exciting new addition to the festivities. Scheduled for August 15, registration is now open for this distinctive event honoring service, strength, and community.
“As a committee, we’ve been looking for a way to bring people together and help us do something extra special for the 10th year of our Veterans Day Celebration,” added Lauren Dowden, City of Ruston Main Street Director. “That’s really where the idea for the Veterans 5K Run and Ruck came from. We wanted an event that anyone could join in on, something fun and centered around supporting the veterans who live right here in our community.”
The name of the event directly connects to the expectations of the men and women who serve in the military. A “ruck” can be as simple as walking around with a backpack on a hike, or as difficult as moving fast with all your military gear over rugged terrain. However, for the Liberty Ruck 5K you don’t have to worry about carrying anything at all.
Participants will choose either a 5K or a 1.7-mile run for the local ruck. The event starts at 8:00 A.M. at 418 Dan Reneau Drive, at the corner of the Integrated Engineering and Science Building on the Louisiana Tech University campus. Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=204059 or by using the QR code seen here. Entry is $30 now or $40 the day of the race.
“We also want to encourage those participating to wear something that represents their favorite branch of the U.S. Military,” Greer added. “This can include the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force.”
Every runner will receive a special set of commemorative dog tags, and the winner of each race category will receive a custom-made plaque. Sergeant First Class Chris Taylor, Louisiana Army National Guard, and a committee member, said the Liberty Ruck 5K is more than just a race.
“This is a chance for our community to stand alongside our veterans and show appreciation for their service,” Taylor said. “Having served here for 17 years, I’ve seen how proud North Louisiana is of its veterans, and this event reflects that spirit.”
The race also provides an opportunity to give back. While 90% of proceeds will support the annual Veterans Day Program, 10% will be donated to VFW Post 3615. And the money dedicated to the 10th Anniversary Celebration will allow this year’s event to include some special additions.
“We’re excited because this run doesn’t just add a new activity,” Dowden continued. “It helps us raise the funds we need to make this year’s celebration bigger and better than ever.”
Proceeds from the ruck will help fund The Victory Belles, a popular vocal trio based at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, specializing in 1940s-style music and three-part harmonies. For the Veterans Day Celebration, they will perform patriotic songs and wartime hits to honor veterans and promote wartime nostalgia.
“We are excited about how this race can bring the community together in support of our military and honor their sacrifice,” Greer said. “We hope to see everyone there as we show our pride and honor our veterans.”
For race details or to support the Liberty Ruck 5K, contact Laurel Pesnell at 318-550-6104 or Jessica Greer at 318-791-4384 or jgreer@unitedwaynela.org.
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