JB MDL "Port Dawgs" have a run to remember Published May 30, 2014 By Capt. Matthew Chism U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- At its core, Memorial Day was created as a day to reflect, celebrate the life of service members who have passed. Before the long weekend a group of airmen on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst did just that. JB MDL aerial porters joined units worldwide in honoring deceased U.S. Air Force aerial porters by participating in the first annual "Port Dawg" Memorial run at the JB MDL one-mile track May 22. The annual event, developed by career field leaders, joins aerial port units around the globe, in collectively remembering aerial porters who have passed while still serving. This year's base run was held in conjunction with a local event honoring TSgt. Curtis Eccleston, a former 621st Contingency Response Wing "Port Dawg." "Having his family here to show them how much we appreciated Curtis, everything he did for us while he was here is phenomenal" said Senior Master Sgt. Augustine Circello USAF Mobility Operations School air transportation branch chief. "Honoring Curtis while they're here, showing that the entire base came out to support him and to memorialize him was very humbling," Circello said. More than 60 Airmen took part in this year's memorial run, which was followed by a presentation of keepsakes to the Eccleston family.