Military and Veteran Law Student Association 9/11 Ruck to Remember Event

Written by: Marisa Ewing J.D. Candidate, Class of 2026

On Saturday, September 6th, 2025, members of the Military and Veteran Law Student
Association (MVLSA) gathered at the “U” statue at 6am to honor and remember the heroes and
victims of September 11th. As a part of the University of Miami Army ROTC Program’s 6th
Annual 9/11 Ruck to Remember, law students rucked 9.11 miles from the Coral Gables campus
to Regatta Park in Coconut Grove and back. A ruck is a low-impact exercise that involves
walking with a weighted backpack or rucksack on your back to build strength and improve
cardiovascular fitness. Many law students carried rucks with anywhere from five to thirty-five
pounds of weight.

While some MVLSA members participated in the ruck march, others volunteered to
ensure the ruck was safe and participants were hydrated. Volunteers handed out water and
Gatorade to participants around the 5.5-mile mark. This point of the ruck served as a well-
deserved rest stop and a fun photo opportunity by Biscayne Bay.

Thanks to L.A.F.A.C., MVLSA, formerly known as the Veteran Law Student Society
(VLSS), was able to purchase military challenge coins for ruck participants and volunteers.
Challenge coins are small medallions that represent an achievement, membership, or affiliation
to a specific group. They are a longstanding tradition in the military and veteran community and
serve as a symbol of pride and excellence. MVLSA was excited to share the tradition with
several law students and awarded coins to all participants and volunteers at the ruck.

The event was a success and MVLSA is grateful for the support of L.A.F.A.C. and to all
law students who took on the early morning challenge!

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