Maine Guard Soldiers Run to Washington D.C. and Raise Awareness to Veterans Issues
23 June 2010 » Maine Army National Guard
Col. Jack Mosher runs down Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, as part of the "Resiliency Run's" 15th marathon.
Resiliency Runner Col. Jack Mosher meets with wheel-chair bound veterans at the VA Medical Center, Washington DC, May 26.
With the rubber sole of running shoes chewing into the asphalt ribbon that connects cities throughout the Northeast, two Maine Army National Guard Soldiers ran from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery seeking some form of redemption while uniting scores of Veterans looking for answers.
Like tens of thousands of National Guard Soldiers deployed to combat since the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, Colonel Jack Mosher of Waterville and Major Jay Brock of Winslow share the bond having returned from combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq respectively. For many of their fellow veterans, the life changing experiences of war linger long after the bands stop playing at their homecoming; and the stigmas associated with soldiers seeking help become barriers to a successful reintegration to the comfort and familiarity of home.
Borne of empathy and brotherly love, and in part to exercise his own demons, Mosher conceived the idea for the Resiliency Run over the winter of 2009 as a living metaphor of the affinity he holds for the health awareness and risk reduction of his fellow veterans.
"The Marathon has long been an iconic symbol of Resiliency and personal endurance, and many of our fellow veterans figuratively face a marathon every morning they wake up. I wanted to show them that they can get through a marathon a day by reaching both within themselves for strength, while reaching out to others for assistance" said Mosher.
Mosher reached out to an old friend and ultra runner Major Jay Brock to join him on his journey. As a team Mosher and Brock would run 21 marathons in 21 days, the symbolism in keeping with the 21 gun salute; the military's final expression of gratitude to Soldiers who have passed on.
Mosher points out the Resiliency Run is the first event in the One Life Warrior Campaign (OneLifeWarrior.org) to raise awareness on issues associated with Health and Resiliency in veterans' populations. "Many of our veterans are having a difficult time with re-integration to post deployment life and suffering from anxiety, depression, stress, social isolation, familial fractures and other behavioral health concerns. We are losing more soldiers to suicide than combat casualties and accidents combined."
On May 7, 2010 in Kittery, soaked by a pouring rain and surrounded by students from the Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, the duo stepped off beginning their 550.2 mile journey.
The route designed by Mosher was both practical and emblematic of the roots of the American dream. Boston, New Haven, New York, East Orange, New Brunswick, Trenton, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Walter Reed, Washington D.C. and Arlington National Cemetery; hubs of American history and vivid reminder of why service members lay their lives on the altar of freedom to serve their country.
"We specifically chose destinations along our route to honor the rich legacy of service by the young men and women of this nation. Seeing America at 6.5 miles per hour is a very uplifting experience and an affirmation that our citizens are the kindest, most generous and resilient people in the world."
Key to both Mosher and Brock were the planned visits to a number of Veterans' Medical Centers along the route. It was at these times the duo was most at home, visiting Veterans ranging from World War II to the current conflicts. "The most remarkable aspect of our three weeks on the road was the many hours we spent speaking with the veterans of our nation's wars. We were the great beneficiaries of generations of wisdom delivered with careness and humor from the hospital beds of heroes."
But with this endeavor came the physical toll of individually running a half marathon every day for 21 days. "The athletic challenge was clearly significant and brought the painful reality of the surviving a marathon a day to full fruition. Jay and I had to rely on our personal fortitude and each other to complete the 550.2 mile "21 Run Salute" in the same manner all veterans must do likewise to overcome the adversity in their own lives" said Mosher.
Finishing the Resiliency Run in Washington D.C. on Memorial Day weekend is not the end of the One Life Warrior Campaign. In fact it has hardened Mosher's conviction to further champion veteran's causes.
The One Life Warrior Campaign and the Resiliency Run are supported by a significant following of athletes, veterans and citizens, forming a movement of sorts that will not be content simply finishing this first physical challenge.
"We will continue to send the message that all veterans are national treasures, precious and irreplaceable. We want them to seek and accept responsibility for their spiritual, emotional, psychological and physical health by recognizing that all life must be preserved, nurtured and celebrated to become the next greatest generation."
For more information about the Resiliency Run you can read Mosher's blog at www.onelifewarrior.org or become a fan at Resiliency Run on Facebook.