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Navy Sailor runs 24 hours for POW/MIA

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cierra Presentado
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Can you imagine running and walking 24 hours straight through extensive heat conditions and pouring cold rain, only stopping for bathroom breaks and an occasional stretch?  A Petty Officer 2nd Class from Naval Computer Telecommunications Station did just that.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Beau Korbe, NCTS information systems technician, accomplished this feat Sept. 19th, 2014, during the POW/MIA 24-hr vigilance run in which units around Andersen volunteered to run in one hour increments. Most units took turns running throughout their scheduled hour, but Korbe decided to take it to another level.

"I made the decision to do the full 24 hours because this really means something to me," Korbe said. "I could've come out and done an hour like everyone else, but I want to go beyond that. So much was done for me to be able to even participate in this run so I wanted to give back to those who risked and gave their lives for me."

As squadrons came and went, Korbe continued running. When asked if there was a point when he wanted to give up, he replied with honesty.

"It started raining really hard; the rain was cold and my clothes were soaked," he said. My first instinct was to call my wife and go home, but I didn't give up. I just kept reminding myself that I came too far to just give up," he said. "My forefathers never gave up on me, so I'm not going to give up on them. Quitting is not an option for me."

Throughout the run, Korbes wife and children came to accompany him and bring him snacks and water. His fellow co-workers from NCTS also came out to cheer him on and to run as well.

"I got to spend time with my family and learn about my co-workers," he said. "I had a lot of time to think and this run has definitely helped me to get over a few personal hurdles I have been struggling with; it's a character builder."

Korbe is the first in his family other than his great grandfather to join the military. He is hoping to complete a full service commitment and retire at 20 years.

"I strongly believe every American should dedicate at least two years of their life to serving in the military," he said. It doesn't matter what branch, but everyone should be selfless at some point in their life and just give back."

Korbe started the run at 4:15 p.m. Sept. 18th and finished at 4:15 p.m. the next day totaling 58.29 miles.

"I'm a little sore, but it was all worth it; this run made me a better person.

"I supported my country and our prisoners of war and I gave back; at the end of the day that's all that matters," he said. "I will definitely be doing this again next year and hopefully start a new tradition for my family."

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