The sun had not yet risen above Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Oct. 21, but more than 900 service members were up and ready to take part in the camp's first 5k Valor Run, which honored U.S. service women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

U.S. Navy Capt. Nancy Lacore came up with the idea for the Valor Run after she returned from serving in Afghanistan in 2012. Two years later, in Oct. 2014, she set out to run one mile for each woman killed in the Global War on Terror. That run, which covered 160 miles, kicked off what has become an annual event.

As a reserve officer, Capt. Lacore's network of friends spans the world, and when three of her friends at Camp Lemonnier heard about her efforts to have a virtual run, they were quick to jump in and support it.

Navy Capt. Claire Bedford, director of personnel, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and Navy Capt. Kimberly Walz, deputy director of CJTF-HOA's Fusion Action Cell, worked with Camp Lemonnier Executive Officer Cmdr. Chuck Williams to start the process of making the run a reality.

"It was a complete camp and HOA collaboration from start to finish," said Bedford, who gave all the credit to the race committee led by Marine Corps Maj. Bevin Keen.

"We were very fortunate to have a number of volunteers of all ranks and services, from both camp and CJTF-HOA, step up to be part of the race committee which planned the event, and also a huge crew that showed up on race day to make the event a success," the major said.

One of those volunteers was Petty Officer 2nd Class Heather Gavis.

"I looked at the Valor Run website and saw the ages of the women," said Gavis. "They were younger than me. Some fresh out of high school. And some were a lot older, and it broke my heart. So I wanted to do something to show support to the women who have lost their lives."

Organizers were not sure how many runners would come out for the 5:30 a.m. run. Initially they thought maybe 300. What they ended up getting was more than 800 participants from Camp Lemonnier and 132 coalition runners from five different countries: Italy, France, Germany, Japan and Djibouti.

"Everyone knew what the run was all about," said Bedford. "Every one of those countries have had women who served and women who have lost their lives in uniform, whether in combat or on a noncombat mission."

It was a point reinforced by Keen.

"While the Department of Defense's official policy is to not allow women to serve in ground combat job fields, combat casualties through the last 14 years are proof that women in a variety of job fields have indeed been involved in direct combat," said Keen. "Women in all branches have served alongside men and have made the ultimate sacrifice."

Camp Lemonnier supports Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and other tenant commands protecting United States interests in Africa, and provides full spectrum individual support to personnel stationed on Camp Lemonnier. Camp Lemonnier partners with its host nation, Djibouti, to be a valued part of the community by fostering long-term common interests.

For more news from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/CAMPL/.