JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Virginia –
Eniale was half way through her first lap of the 1-mile kids run at the Spouse's Club of Fort Eustis' Warrior Run on April 18, 2015, and she began to slow down thanks to the pollinated air enacting her allergies.
"She forgot to take her allergy medicine this morning, so that's why she had a bit of a rough time," said Judy Reynal, Eniale's grandmother.
Eniale slowed and skipped her legs into a walk, but then she saw a red flag waving about 100 meters in front of her.
It was the flag of her deceased mother's unit.
Eniale's head rose and her shoulders straightened as she started to pick up her pace and swoosh her arms forward as if reaching for her mother's comrades from the 359th Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 10th Transportation Battalion, 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary).
"It makes me happy that they're trying to make us happy," said Eniale Nouv of her mother's unit participating in the run that supports Wounded Warriors and their families."Seeing mommy's unit makes me happier about things because I can see part of what mommy liked."
Eniale's mother, U.S. Army Sgt. Caryn Nouv, of Yorktown, Virginia, was among three soldiers from the 359th ICTC who were killed-in-action while deployed to Afghanistan in 2013. All three Soldiers along with Service members from other branches and units were recognized throughout the running event involving a kid's run, 5K and 10K.
"As a whole regardless of what branch of service, we're all one big family and we're here in remembrance for all of our fallen comrades," said Capt. Keith Stutts, participant from the 359th ICTC. "Coming together and knowing their legacy lives on is the greatest part of this event."
For Reynal, events like this and support from her daughter's unit, a unit that was there for Reynal within hours of her daughter's death, are part of what have helped her learn to cope with the tragedy that struck two years ago.
"This is a reminder, and even though it hurts, it's just nice to know that your child is not forgotten," said Reynal. "All of this definitely helps, it's just a type of bonding that everyone needs ... I never realized the bonding that occurs and it doesn't dawn on you until something like this happens ... ... We all have our trials, but it's good to have other people to share them with."
Another race participant, also from the 359th ICTC, Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ellis, said it meant a lot to him to have Nouv's family at the event, not only because he and his unit consider them a part of their own family, but because it shows that the military is doing its job of supporting them.
"We should never forget about our fallen comrades," said Ellis. "More so, we should never forget about their families because even though the Service member is gone, it's important to remember the family members always because they're the ones that are really at a loss."
As the last participant ran across the finish-line and registration and hydration tents were taken down, the 359th ICTC shared a few hugs, pats on the back and laughs with Nouv's family, not saying good bye, but rather see you at the next "family get-together."