1 Day for the KIA, Inc.

We wanted to give one last shoutout and thank you to our runners and sponsors. We couldn’t be more grateful for the support, which has led us to raise just about $1,500!

A special congratulations to for completing the most miles at 60.62! You’re a beast! Keep doing amazing things.

Highlighting some amazing people who are currently running our 12-hour endurance race

If you're looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift, please support one of the veteran sponsors for our upcoming endurance run, !

"This Mother's Day, we're honored to be part of something bigger. 💐
1 Day for the KIA brings together runners, the OSU community, and area businesses to support our veterans and their families.
🌸 Pre-Order a fresh bouquet for Mom on your way to the finish line —
Because every mom deserves to be seen. Every veteran deserves to be honored. And every flower tells a story."
~ Donya's Florals

This week, we will be honoring Captain Curtis J. Angst (30) with the 121st Air Refueling, who was one of the Ohio Air National Guard Airmen killed in the KC-135 crash in Iraq on 12 March 2026.

Capt Angst was a KC-135 Pilot with the 166th Air Refueling Squadron, located in Rickenbacker Air National Guard base. He was involved in several missions; flying worldwide air refueling, aeromedical, cargo, and passenger operations.

He began his military career in 2015, enlisting in the Ohio Air National Guard as a Vehicle Maintenance Technician with the 123rd Air Control Squadron. He then commissioned in 2021, completed his pilot training in 2022, and earned his KC-135 qualification in 2024. He logged 880 flight hours, 67 of which were combat missions.

Capt Angst was characterized by his generosity and dedication to service, alongside his consistent kindness and joyful outlook. He is remembered as a loving son, brother, friend, and devoted husband. He is lived on through his wife, parents, and sister. Captain Curtis J. Angst, thank you for your service.

This week, we will be honoring Master Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons (28) with the 121st Air Refueling, who was one of the Ohio Air National Guard Airmen killed in the KC-135 crash in Iraq on 12 March 2026.

MSgt. Simmons was a KC-135 Boom Operator with the 166th air Refueling Squadron, located in Rickenbacker Air National Guard base. He worked on global air refueling missions, along with aeromedical, cargo and passenger operations. MSgt.. Simmons enlisted in 2017 and graduates from security forces training in 2018. In 2022, he retrained to become an Inflight Refueling Specialist, and in 2023, we earned his Wings as a Mobility Force aviator with the 166th. He deployed 3 times over his career, logging 230 combat hours. He was posthumously promoted from Technical Sergeant to Master Sergeant on 12 March 2026.

His family and friends coined MSgt. Simmons as having a "million dollar smile," stating that he was a bright and dedicated Airman who died doing what he loved. He had a strong sense of purpose in serving his country and his loved ones. Thank you for your service Master Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons.

‼️DATE CHANGE‼️ Our Endurance Race will now be hosted on the 26th of April. Please let us know if you signed up and won’t be able to attend anymore. However, we still hope to see you there!

Beginning this week, we will be making a series of posts to honor the lives of the Ohio Air National Guard Airmen who were killed in the KC-135 crash in Iraq on 12 March 2026. All 3 Airmen were assigned to the 121st Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Guard Base, near Columbus.

Each airman will be recognized individually for their heroism and service; one each week. This week, we will be honoring Captain Seth Koval (38).

Capt. Koval was a Pilot instructor assigned to the 166th squadron at Rickenbacker. He was responsible for the training and development of pilots in many disciplines, focusing on the Air Mobility Command's global reach. Capt. Koval first enlisted in 2006 as a machinist in the Indiana Air National Guard. In 2017, he graduated with a degree in aviation operations from Purdue University, wherein he switched to the Ohio Air National Guard. He commissioned through the 121st in 2018, completed pilot training in 2020, and became qualified to instruct in 2024. He was deployed numerous times, logging 2,076 flight hours, 443 being combat hours.

Capt. Koval was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend to many; as well as a distinguished and talented Airman. Captain Seth Koval, thank you for your service.

It's officially time to prepare for our spring 1DKIA run! This year, we're hosting a 12 hour endurance run on April 11th, 2026. It will be run in teams of no more than 4, and team sponsors are encouraged to support the runners and our Living Legacy Scholarship through donations. More information can be found by clicking the link in our bio. We're excited to see you all there!

Our executive team recently had the opportunity to share more about our organization! Check out the story linked in our bio to learn about 1 Day for the K.I.A.’s mission and the purpose that drives what we do. 🇺🇸