Airmen and families stretched and laced up their shoes as they prepared for the start of a run. With the yell of "go", airmen took off running at this year's 62nd Aerial Port Squadron 5K Memorial Run May 18, on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The memorial run, an annual tradition among port dawgs, is done to honor all aerial porters known as port dawgs that have passed on.

"I think most importantly, this is a time to take a moment to honor those who have served before us and their sacrifice," said Maj. Faith Posey, 62nd APS commander. "This builds pride in being part of our career field and solidifies our heritage."

This year's run marks the third consecutive year that aerial porters from around the Air Force have ran to honor fallen port dawgs. This year's run honored five fellow port dawgs from around the Air Force that passed in 2015.

"There are more than thirty locations to include deployed locations across the globe participating in this year's run," said Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Miller, 62nd APS air terminal manager. "I think part of this is about heritage and recognizing we are a better Air Force because of those who have gone before us."

This year's run was very important to McChord Field port dawgs after they recently lost one of their own, said Miller.

"This year is a little more personal because it's also about one of our immediate family members," said Miller. "This hits close to home and our family; we want people to know we haven't forgot about their sacrifice."

Besides honoring fallen port dawgs, the purpose of the memorial run is to raise donations for a good cause through the sale of memorial shirts. Collectively, this year's run generated $5,680 in donations for the Fisher House Foundation through the sale of 380 shirts.

"Here it's about family and building an aerial port community," said Miller. "This is one way we can show we care about our own and are there for them."

Unifying the aerial port community, the run was open to active-duty, Guard and Reserve airmen and their families to run and support each other.

"It's great to get out here with my family and remember those that have gone before us," said Staff Sgt. Zachery Morton, 62nd APS cargo processing supervisor. "It gives us all a common ground to come together as one and to support one another."

Quickly becoming a regular tradition among port dawgs, the run helps build morale and community among airmen, said Staff Sgxt. Addison Richey, 62nd APS passenger services supervisor.

"Every time we can get together for an event, it is bonding time and helps build stronger relationships among us," said Richey. "We are a small family and whenever one of us passes away it impacts us all."