have been possible. For volunteering, as an appreciation for
their efforts, all were given a t-shirt and a Certificate of
Achievement (COA). The COA’s were made by our very
own S-1, approved and signed by the Battalion Command
Team.
Prior to the race we received multiple signs made
by the FRG’s back at Fort Drum. The day of the race the
signs were placed inside of the registration building where
we kicked-off the Marathon. Everyone was especially happy
to see that their families back at home had sent something
for them to wish them luck on their run. We were asked so
many times where all of the signs had come from, and we
were happy to say that our families back at Fort Drum were
rooting for us through these signs.
Multiple news organizations came out to Afghanistan, including ABC and NBC. A story about the Shadow
Run made it onto the “Good Morning America” the day after
our run. It even featured a clip of Chaplain Willenberg doing
push-ups at the finish line. The day of the actual Boston
Marathon a longer segment was shown about our run here
in Afghanistan. It made both our hearts and pride swell.
The driving force behind the Boston Marathon this
year was the theme of “Boston Strong” or in Army terms,
Resiliency. CSM Charles defines Resiliency as being demonstrated, “…when Soldiers use their strength, skills, and
abilities to cope with challenges and difficult circumstances
that may be related to occupational stress or family problems…” One thought was at the forefront of all our efforts:
Not only was this to be the last Boston Marathon Shadow
Run before we leave Afghanistan, it would be the first run
since the tragedy that took place in Boston last year. The
significance was not lost on any who were involved with this
grand event.
So what did this mean to our troops? It was a show of
force; we are here and are going to do incredible things. It
meant that we could be deployed, and still enjoy our lives. It
showed us that family and friends back home loved and cared
for us. It meant that we could pull off an extraordinary event,
even in the face of adversity. This race was a symbol of
strength, be it suffering through the race, an injury or completing the deployment. This was an event that we all fought
through, and won. All of this would not have been possible
without Chaplain Willenberg’s determination, the Staff’s hard
work, and the countless volunteers who helped accomplish
this mission.
Climb to Glory. To the Top.