An Army sergeant from the Yakima Training Center in Washington will attempt to break the world record for running while wearing a bomb suit in order to raise money for charity.
Sgt. 1st Class Eric Johnson will run roughly 2.8 miles from Sarg Hubbard Park along the Yakima Greenway to Sherman Park while wearing a 75-pound Med-ENG EOD-8 bomb suit on Saturday, The Yakima Herald reported.
Members of Mr. Johnson’s unit, the 53rd Explosive Ordinance Disposal Company, will bring extra bomb suits for the public to try on.
Proceeds from food vendors and donations will go to the EOD Warrior Foundation, a Bluemont, Va.-based organization that assists families of fallen and wounded military explosive technicians.
Mr. Johnson’s goal is to raise $3,000.
The 53rd EOD Company has had two members die in combat. Staff Sergeants Wade Bennett, 26, of Glendora, Calif., and Nicholas J. Reid, 26, Rochester, N.Y. were killed in 2012 trying to disarm roadside bombs in Afghanistan, the newspaper reported.
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The unit helps local law enforcement agencies respond to incidents involving explosives.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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