Americans,
Here we go again. A long season of juggling family, deployments, and training for the biggest event of the year, the Marine Corps Marathon (a.k.a. The People's Marathon). I know it's not easy to understand that someone considers punishing his body with 26.2 miles of running while weaving in and out of a crowd of 30,000 runners as being the biggest event of my year. My fellow Marines know it takes a "different" type of person to be willing to deploy into harms way without being told to. I live by a different set of rules I guess. My mantra is "If not me, then who?". My comrades think it's plum crazy for me to spend the couple hours of free time I have "paying the man" a.k.a. pounding the pavement. Every morning I get the questions; any races coming up? how far you going today? was that you I saw last night at 2300 running around the camp?
Okay for all of you that haven't been following my mission. It's simple really. There are men and women that stick their neck out on the line every minute of every day. Unfortunately, they get hurt more times then not. The U.S. military does an AWESOME job taking care of us. We get hurt and we get the best medical attention available. That's not what this is about. I would like to give you a couple of examples how my mission and your donations are contributing. Then I need you to do your most generous part and help me help them.
One of my Marine Corporals was injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack when he dismounted. He was married to a young 19 year old. His Mother was a waitress in Chicago and was making ends meet with his help. He was stabilized in a medical facility in Germany. At the time we were unsure he would make it. Mom and Wife could not afford to fly to Germany and get a hotel, food, etc... the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (IMSFF) stepped in and footed the bill lock, stock, and barrel. No questions asked and no repayment accepted. My Corporal is now recovered and is a Father. Mom is doing well also. How did IMSFF do this? Donations, Donations, Donations!
Sgt B was one of my most humble and sacrificing Marines. He was medevac'd the first time (yes the first time) from a vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). He spent 18 months in a burn center in TX. IMSFF payed for his Mother to visit for a week or so at a time. The second time Sgt B was medevac'd he had been shot twice. Multiple surgeries and months later in 2 countries and 3 states, IMSFF reached out to Mom and moved her with him. Again no money repayment asked.
Sgt R was shot by a sniper in his forehead. The bullet penetrated his helmet and was lodged in his brain. He was given zero chance of survival. I was speaking to the doctor before they conducted emergency surgery. He is an amazing surgeon. He said to me "Jon, your man is in bad shape", I told him "Doc do what you were put here to do and save his life!". He did and last year Sgt R raced in the Marine Corps Marathon on a hand bike. Yep, a hand bike. A hand bike is a wheel chair racing bike. After surgery the Sgt needed a therapist to help him learn to use his arms again. A nurse 24 hours a day to live at his house with him to care for his needs. Home remodeling for his future wheel chair. I could go on and on. Tens of thousands of dollars he and his family did not have. You guessed it, the IMSFF was there.
I have the easy part. I run for team "FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T". I represent thousands of men and women heroes from our U.S. military that need your help. I don't care if it is a dollar or a thousand dollars. I will earn every penny on 30 October when I toe the line in Washington D.C. Please go to the below link and donate. If not you, then who?
Semper Fi,
Jonathan White
Ms Marti has pledged to match all donations made between October 12th and the completion of the Marathon, up to $1000.00, so your donations are worth twice what you contribute.
Recent Comments