I'll keep this relatively short, but I'm a member of the Wear Blue Run to Remember running community that I wrote about back when we ran the DC Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in March. When we ran the half marathon, I wore one of the Wear Blue Run to Remember shirts in memory of our friend Jeremy and now I have another opportunity to run in his memory and in remembrance of all of the other men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our country.
The Wear Blue Run to Remember community is encouraging people across the nation to join in their special Memorial Day event where everyone will pledge to run or walk miles that day in honor of our service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terror. I received a reminder email about the event and thought I would share its moving words with all of you:
"Thank you for joining wear blue: run to remember for our special Memorial Day event, wear blue Runs for the Fallen.
We, along with runners across the nation and in countries overseas,
will log miles in honor of each of our Service Members who have made the
Ultimate Sacrifice in the Global War on Terror. wear blue is
honored to have you a part of this active community that runs to honor
the Service and Sacrifice of the American Military. Together, we ensure
that no life given in Service to our Nation will ever be forgotten.
“We
do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word
they spoke: but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme
act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they
accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their
patriotism and their virtue.” President James A. Garfield - Speech at Arlington Cemetery, Decoration Day (30 May 1868)
Memorial
Day weekend brings to mind family barbecues, swimming pools, children
playing in the sun. It is a weekend to spend with family and friends
celebrating the beginning of the summer season.
But
Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, is different. It is the one day a
year we come together to honor the Heroes, the men and women in the
Armed Forces, who gave their all for the United States of America. It is
a day to pause and remember the gravity of the gift and sacrifice these
men and women made. It is not about politics, or religion. It is about
solidarity.
Thank
you for joining us as we honor and celebrate each of the lives of the
6,465 American Service Members who have died in the Global War on
Terror.
With
Memorial Day one week away, we encourage you to invite your friends and
family to join us and pledge their miles in their own communities
across the nation. We currently have 3,998 miles pledged; 6,465 men and
women have given their lives in the Global War on Terror. Together, we
can ensure that each of these heroes will be honored this Memorial Day.
Run
with us. Remember with us. Whether it’s one mile or 50 miles, thank you
for pledging your miles. Continue to pledge to never forget the Heroes
who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Join a nationwide movement and run
to honor the Service and Sacrifice of the American Military."
While you're planning your barbeques and trips for this weekend, consider adding in some time for a short walk or run in memory of our military. You can pledge the miles you plan on running or walking here at their website. I have already pledged my miles, and encourage you to as well!
In the meantime, have a great three-day weekend and stay hydrated if you're going to have the 90+ degree weather like we will!
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| Courtesy of Joint Base Lewis McChord, via Flickr |
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