As I’ve shared before, Preston and I both belong to Team Red, White & Blue, a veteran’s organization committed to connecting veterans with others and enriching their lives through both physical and social activities. This past Saturday, Team RWB in conjunction with Team Rubicon and The Mission Continues hosted the third annual Run As One in cities across the country, including here in DC. The purpose of Run As One is to raise awareness for veteran Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. On average, 22 veterans commit suicide each day as a result of their post tour of duty or service related stress. Run As One was established in 2011 as a way to raise awareness for veteran PTSD, as well as to promote unity among veterans and civilians.
On the National Mall before the start of Run As One
I haven’t openly discussed this on the blog before, but Preston is a veteran himself. He completed five years of active duty in the Army, which included a 14 month tour of Iraq, before he completed two years of reserve duty before he resigned his commission. I’m thankful everyday that despite the fact that several members of Preston’s company were injured, and some killed, that Preston came home from Iraq unharmed. Although we didn’t meet until after he completed his active duty service (he had just started his reserve duties when we started dating), I’m beyond thankful that he came home from Iraq physically unharmed. He still deals with the emotional trauma of his time in Iraq on a regular basis, but I’m thankful that this is the only lingering negative effect of his service to our country.
We both joined Team RWB in 2013 as a way to connect with other veterans and their significant others. Our schedule doesn’t always allow for participation in activities on a regular basis, but its events like this past Saturday’s run that make us thankful that we’re a part of this organization.
Most Run As One events held across the country were held in the morning, but because of the Cherry Blossom Parade Saturday morning the DC Run As One was held in the afternoon. We gathered on the National Mall, ran to the East Steps of the U.S. Capitol, where we stopped to take a group picture, and then ran back to our starting point in the middle of the grass on the National Mall. After the run, there was also a group led exercise of 22 pushups to recognize the startling statistic that an average of 22 veterans commit suicide each day.
On the steps of the U.S. Capitol during Saturday’s Run As One
This wasn’t a race, but races aren’t the only reason to run. Many people who saw the run occurring asked who we were with and why we were running, and it was clear that we had successfully raised awareness for veteran PTSD and suicide in the midst of hundreds of thousands of tourists that were down on the National Mall on Saturday.
QOTD: What runs have you participated in as a way to help raise awareness for a cause?
What a nice organization to be part of and that you were able to raise awareness for veteran PTSD. You are completely right that races aren’t the only reason to run (particularly for profit/larger ones); runs or smaller organized runs/races dedicated to a cause/awareness are often more meaningful and bring a community together. Thank you to your husband for serving the country.
Absolutely, Jennifer. Its nice to know that sometimes your runs are helping to make a difference.
What a staggering statistic and a great cause. I’ve done three races to raise awareness for clear cell sarcoma, a rare cancer that took my cousin’s life. And I ran my first marathon for a cancer charity.
Running for a cause that’s very close to your heart is one of the greatest things anybody can do.
This sounds awesome Kathryn! What a great group to be a part of! Thank you to your husband for his service to our country!
We’ve very much enjoyed our involvement with Team RWB since we joined last year.
Wow, what a great group and what a great way to raise awareness, especially with the number of people on the Mall that day. I do feel like the most meaningful race I’ve done this year is Ben’s Run, not only because it raised awareness and money for the Childrens Medical Center, but also because of the personal involvement of Ben’s family and friends. Please thank your husband for his service.
I love that at smaller events that family members of those who the run is in honor of are directly involved. It definitely makes the event that much more meaningful.
What a great cause! Glad to hear that Preston made it out of the military unharmed. Years ago I did a 5k race in Central Park that was called Miles for Moms, for ladies that had cancer.
I’m so glad that he came home unharmed as well! So many other soldiers aren’t as lucky.
I volunteer with a wonderful group, America’s Moms for Soldiers, who send monthly care packages to troops in Afghanistan who otherwise would not receive any mail from home. With the troops slowly returning home, it will be interesting to see what our new mission will be!
That sounds like a wonderful cause, Kimberley!
That’s a fantastic idea! I’ve never done a run to raise awareness, but I definitely see the value in doing so (especially in a crowded area like the National mall!)
My husband is also a veteran (Navy corpsman, so he was deployed with the Marines) and did 2 tours in Iraq. He, too, returned home physically unharmed but has some PTSD to deal with sometimes. Team RWB sounds like a great organization, and I plan to suggest it to Joe! Thank you for sharing that, and thank you to Preston for his service!
Team RWB is an incredible organization, with chapters all across the country. Thank you to your husband for his service!
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