ODU ROTC Students Take Part in Memorial Formation Run on Sept. 11

The Army and Naval ROTC units at Old Dominion University conducted their fourth annual 2.5-mile formation run around the campus and across Kaufman Mall in the early-morning hours of Sept. 11. About 350 students participated in the run, which was part of a Patriot Day commemoration that concluded with a speech by Capt. Mike Barea, the Hampton Roads Naval ROTC unit commander. Barea  told the students that there will be a defining moment in each of their careers in which all of their training, hard work and dedication will prepare them to be ready.

The run was coordinated by the students and led by Capt. Jerry Parchman, a Marine officer instructor. In addition to attending class and participating in school activities, Old Dominion's ROTC students assemble, manage and lead military functions for their respective service branches.

"The active-duty students have chosen to serve or continue to serve during this uncertain time of war," said Marine Staff Sgt. Geoffrey Lancaster, who is the Navy ROTC battalion sergeant major. "And the candidates who were mostly too young to serve at the time, are now stepping forward to volunteer and lead their troops as officers in today's military."