Sea cadets from the Washington, D.C. area participated in the Navy mile race, Oct. 4.

Along with the sea cadets, local active duty service members and veterans joined them in the race.

Adm. Michelle Howard, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, attended the event, giving encouraging words to the runners before the race and congratulated the runners when they passed the finish line.

"Thank you, sea cadets, for participating in the run and learning about our service and the way our country runs," said Howard.

Being at the Navy Mile gives cadets a chance to meet other battalions and promote camaraderie.

"This is a great opportunity for the cadets to come out and meet other cadets and gives them a chance to participate in a very worthwhile cause," said Lt. j.g. Joseph Johnson, commanding officer of William R. Charette Battalion. "The Navy Mile was created to help create funding for a number of organizations and the sea cadet program is one of them.

The Sea Cadet program is a federally chartered non-profit civilian youth organization that seeks to instill good citizenship and strong moral principles in its cadets.

"Being out here for the run is not just about raising funds for these separate programs but to allow the kids to interact with active duty service members and veterans," said Johnson. "Being around these veterans and service members it gives the kids a role model to look up to and a sense of service to the community but more importantly a service to our country."