111th ATKW Comes Together for Inaugural Sunflower Memorial Ruck

Official Statements

• 111th Attack Wing, November 9: “The 111th Civil Engineering Squadron hosted an inaugural Sunflower Memorial Ruck at Biddle Air National Guard Base on Nov. 8, 2026, honoring the life, selfless service and enduring legacy of Tech. Sgt. Nathaniel Hockenberry, 111CES Emergency Management, who passed away Aug. 8, 2025.

  “Nate was a dedicated patriot who served honorably in the United States Marine Corps before continuing his military service in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard,” said Maj. Hugh Black, 111CES Commander. “As an Emergency Management Craftsman, Nate embodied the Air Force Core Values daily. He was disciplined, loyal, humble, and fiercely committed to his fellow Airmen. Nate brought warmth, humor, and a steady, uplifting light to everyone he met.”

  Wing members were encouraged to participate in the 5k ruck by walking or running, with the option of carrying a 25-pound ruck pack or wearing Military Mission Orients Protective Posture gear, including the overgarment coat and trousers.

  The event was designed to be inclusive of all fitness levels, allowing participants to move alongside one another while honoring Hockenberry’s legacy and demonstrating the strength of the Wing community.

  Hockenberry’s passion for emergency management and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense inspired his fondness for sunflowers - a plant capable of absorbing radioactive isotopes from contaminated soil and water.

  “Sunflowers naturally soak up all the radiation making an area safer, and they were Nate’s favorite flower,” said Tech. Sgt. Samantha Fisher, 111CES Emergency Management. “The first 80 people to finish the ruck will get a sunflower to take home with them.”

  The memorial ruck was established to celebrate Hockenberry’s life and commemorate the lasting impact he made on those who knew and served alongside him.

  “Nate was an extreme professional to the max and truly took the core values to heart,” said Black. “He was very motivated, smart, and dedicated. He came into the squadron and immediately began fixing things up and filling the gap since we were between leadership at the time.”

  More than a physical challenge, the memorial ruck served as an opportunity for Airmen to come together, remember a fellow Airman, and reinforce the importance of supporting one another through both challenges and triumphs.

  “A lot of you did not know Nate, but you showed up anyway,” said Fisher during her opening remarks. “Whether it is because you wanted to support us in our grief, because you are grieving, or you just wanted to be here, you showed up at a time when we needed each other most.”

  For those who participated, every step represented more than distance. It was a collective respect and gratitude for the impression Hockenberry left on fellow Airman.”