ROME, Italy – Rhythmic sounds of running feet echoed through Rome’s streets – those that belonged to 173rd Airborne Brigade Soldiers marked a tribute to a favorite senior noncommissioned officer upon his retirement.
The March 16 marathon was an endurance test for some. But, for a group of Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment – known as First Rock – the run honored Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan O’Neal, who served 22 years and retired three days earlier at U.S. Army Garrison Italy.
It began and ended under the shadow of the Colosseum. The Soldiers joined 30,000 runners as they passed by ruins of an ancient empire. By their side was O’Neal, who in recent years had led them through challenges, hardship and victory. For 1st Lt. Jeff Jensen, running through Rome with O’Neal is a memory that he will cherish throughout his career.
“It is a prime example of the culture we have in First Rock, where leaders lead through action,” Jensen said.
O’Neal, who believes in pushing limits, randomly suggesting the marathon one day. His troops took it seriously – for weeks training hard for the 26.2-mile run. Some had never run that far before. Others had, but never with this kind of purpose.
When the marathon began, masses of runners surged forward. Soldiers weaved through cobblestone streets – millennia older than the nation they serve. Amid air thick with history, it was easy for their minds to drift away from the race.
O’Neal has always encouraged Soldiers to explore Italy and to maintain their fitness.
“Physical fitness is one of the most important aspects of our job and there’s no better way to test your capacity for fitness than by running a marathon,” O’Neal said.
Some paratroopers wore maroon-colored unit T-shirts with the Sky Soldiers and 1/503rd insignias, standing out against the neon orange shirts given to runners. Mile by mile, they pushed forward. Some stumbled, legs burning, lungs screaming. Yet, driven by the challenge and the camaraderie around them, they kept moving.
“The toughest part was mile 20, where I hit ‘the wall,’” said Maj. Dan Dreyer. “I had to dig deep and push through the pain. Having a battle buddy during the race was the key to success.”
As they crossed the finish line, one by one, exhaustion gave way to triumph – each runner finding their own moment of victory in the heart of Rome. Their run reminded Staff Sgt. Darren Hodrick about the human aspect of endurance – something more than just soldiering.
“No matter how high you go in rank, you’re still a human first,” Hodrick said. “CSM embraced those around him that are straightforward and those that are always themselves.”
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