JB's March to Bataan

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Rest In Peace, Pfc. Jones

A soldier from Marble Falls was killed in Afghanistan Thursday, March 15th.

The Department of Defense says Private First Class Payton Jones, 19, and another soldier from Denver, Col. were shot and killed by two Afghan soldiers and a literacy instructor.
The somber news hit Pfc. Jones’ hometown of Marble Falls late Friday night.

Pfc. Payton Jones

As a fellow soldier, the death of Pfc. Jones troubles Army veteran and Marble Falls resident Walter Hagen. Hagen joined the U.S. Army in 1946 and served for 30 years.

"It must be really bad if you can't trust the guy sitting next to you or working next to you,” Walter Hagen, retired U.S. Army, said. “You are trying to train somebody, and he turns around and shoots you."

- friend & neighbor of Mark Atchison

Thanks, Nancy Brown!

As the countdown approaches hours, not days, there is one more person that I need to thank - my lovely bride, Nancy! Thanks for putting up with months of me groaning about the aches and pains; whining about how much more work I have left to do; etc. Thanks for letting it be 'all about me'...even when my squeaky shoes kept waking you up before my 5AM runs, and when I fell asleep on the couch at 9PM (which rarely happened more than 3 times...per week).

Thanks also for letting my run go public so I had no ability to back out! :-)

I do appreciate your patience over these last 12 months and hope I can return the favor somehow!

I am blessed!

Much luvies...

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Every day I run into someone who is willing to put their life on the line

I'm willing to accept the extra chaffing from a cotton T-shirt on the run... :-)

The Clock is Ticking!

One week to go! Looking forward to some time with Chris in Lubbock and then down to White Sands.

It always seemed like a year away and now it's almost here!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Thank you!

Samuel Wassall VC (July 1856 – 31 January 1927) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Samuel was a relative of co-worker and friend, Tom Wassell.

Thanks for supporting Sgt Gibbs cause, Tom!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Thanks, Bill...and the many other Veterans from KoC 13131

Ret. MSgt William H (Bill) Remy
USAF 1965-1985

Philipines  '67-69
Germany    '69-73
Japan         '74-76
Germany    '79-83

Temporary Duty:
Vietnam - '68
Thailand - '68-69

Korea - '68 - during USS Pueblo Incident

Thanks for you service to the country over all those years, and for your ongoing service to your church and community via Knights of Columbus Counsel 13131!

More details and pictures of the many other Council 13131 Veterans as soon as I can get a functional camera when the crew is around. Thanks to all for their commitment!

Friday, March 9, 2012

Gone, but not forgotten

Marine First Lieutenant Dan Thomas Malcom of Brinson, Georgia, a 2001 graduate of The Citadel.

Died of gunshot wounds in Iraq during the battle against insurgents in Fallujah in 2004.

"He liked his job, he believed in his troops and he cared for his troops," said Kevin Bates, a classmate and friend. While at the school, he was a dean's list student and held rank in the Corps of Cadets. He was Lima Company executive officer during his senior year, The Citadel said in a statement. "He was a great student," said Bates of Richmond, Va. "He was on The Citadel's College Bowl team. He was a very intelligent person."

Friend of my friend, Mick McGilloway.

Thanks to all of the crew from Lima Company for their sacrifices. Lieutenant Malcom may be gone but he is not forgotten.

Bataan Death March Memorial - background

I've never met Sgt 1st Class Todd C. Gibbs, nor will I ever given he gave his life for his country on December 7, 2004. While he may not have been a member of my family, he certainly was part of a loving family back home. While he did not directly impact my life, his actions - and those of his fellow soldiers - have allowed me and my family to lead the lives we live.

Todd's brother Bret told me about a challenge here at home called the Bataan Memorial Death March. This VFW sponsored event has - for the last 23 years - recognized the WWII soldiers from Bataan, and was originally a military-only event but now has teams and participants from all branches of the military, Wounded Warriors and now civilians participating in the Memorial. The Memorial is a marathon distance endurance challenge at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

As described by a recent participant "The hardest aspect of this event is that even though it is considered a marathon it has far too great a diversity to be considered “just” a marathon. Changing from hard pack to asphalt back to hard pack and then desert sand is enough to buckle any athlete’s knees...dusty conditions and a five-mile long hill under full sun separates the weekender from the diehard athlete...I believe the last four miles of the event is the most difficult for three reasons. First, the sand is unstable, rutted and your feet are well on there way to becoming lumps of clay. Second, you are able to see the finish line that doesn’t seem to draw any closer because of the route around the base and psychologically is depressing.. Finally, the wall creates an air block that soaks up the heat and wind which just adds to your fatigue..."

To me, this event recognizes and memorializes ALL of our military personnel - past and present - who have volunteered themselves for the greater good putting themselves at risk of injury or death on a daily basis.

I get the privilege of working in an air-conditioned office and sleeping in a comfortable bed thanks to the sacrifices of our military. As feeble as it is, I would like to say "Thank You" by putting a bit of a challenge on my own physical capabilities and participate in the 2012 Bataan Memorial Death March.

I'll use this Blog to whine about how tough it is being middle-aged and soft, but more importantly hope to use this as a platform to raise donations for noble causes supporting our troops. I am far from being a "social network" expert - having never created a blog or website before - but hope that the power of internet and our extended networks can make a difference for these charities.

Help me out! Post a story or comment. Share the charity links with your network. Recommend another charity. Let's prove that the value of the internet and Facebook is more than getting updates on Aunt Edna's bunyons! Most importantly, say “Thank You” next time you see a soldier or veteran!