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| Jessica, Shelly, Chris, Caden, Danielle, and Tucker (front) |
It has been a little over a week since the funeral and military services were held for my brother Christopher. Even now, as I sit here and recall watching them fold the American Flag that draped his casket, I am in disbelief that our middle sibling is no longer with us. The words that were spoken that day remarked the life he lived and the promise of what could have been if it had not been for the cancer that took him from us.
I still have the last voicemail from my brother saved on my cell phone. I can vividly recall our last conversation. Like me, my brother was of few words. Those who know me know my snarky side but for many, I keep things close to the vest. My brother and I shared this trait. My brother told me he would call more often, "I will try to be better about that." How many of us have said that and thought we had another week, day, whatever left to do so? I know I have.
While I was in Georgia I also thought a lot about Arianna, a little girl that already has fought battles many of us would shy from. At birth she battled a rare form of cancer seen in a small percentage of Downs Syndrome children. She has been brave throughout it all and her parents have shown such strength and determination during the last few weeks. I am so proud of my best friend and her family and they are a clear example of the true meaning of unconditional love.
Needless to say the last two weeks have been emotional and overwhelming. It is because of each of them that I had to do SOMETHING to attempt to make the lives of other better in their honor.
So stage one in my project has been started. I have registered for the Star Wars Rebel Challenge in Disneyland which takes place in January of 2015. I am going for my Coast to Coast next year and will either do Princess or Wine and Dine in Walt Disney World to complete. it, Regardless both races will raise money for two areas: The Gary Sinise Foundation and Bring Ari Home (a home grown fundraiser that will help assist with paying Ariana's medical expenses as a result of her extended stay in NICU and her ongoing outgoing treatment for Leukemia).
Watch this video and learn a little more about this foundation and how they help our nation's veterans and their families.
"Freedom and security are precious gifts that we, as Americans, should never take for granted. We must do all we can to extend our hand in times of need to those who willingly sacrifice each day to provide that freedom and security. While we can never do enough to show gratitude to our nation's defenders, we can always do a little more."
- Gary Sinise
Why did I choose the Gary Sinise Foundation? Well it was simple. They truly are about providing great services to veterans and also their families. They do so by offering a wide range of support services. Prior to his passing I asked my brother which one of several foundations that I had looked into and he thought this charity was a great idea. Since I already had his blessing I have decided that I was going with this one. I also asked a few running friends and other people close to me and my family and the consensus was this charity was the best of the options I was comfortable with. I am sure you can agree that helping our veterans is an area that as a country we still need to be address. My brother, as a U.S. Army vet who received numerous medals, including the bronze star, felt his time in the service was one of the most worthwhile things he accomplished outside of providing for his family. Below is one of the medals I will run any race between now and on the weekend of the Rebel Challenge before sending it back home to his family. I cannot thank them enough for allowing me to borrow this medal.
For my Las Vegas friends....
SAVE the DATE:
The Lt. Dan Band will play at the Fremont Street Experience on November 8th.
More blog posts to come as I train and find clever ways of fundraising.....I hope you will consider helping me reach my goal of $5000!
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