Wanna bet? A request for your help
This is the time of year when we reflect on lot of things, our running, our careers, our families and everything that shaped our year and might end up shaping the rest of our lives. 95% of my year was amazing. I have a business that is thriving in a tough economy; I married a beautiful woman and my best friend, and have accomplished some very nice things in running. A new personal best in the half marathon (1:03:57) and in the marathon (2:14:37) are certainly things to be proud of. However, there always has to be the tough moments in life that seem to make our positive aspects diminished. On Halloween day I got a phone call that certainly comes with the territory, but is something you refuse to accept as possible- until it happens. One sentence changed everything, “Joe’s been shot.”
My brother in law, Joe, is hands down the toughest guy I know and to say he is still even with us is beyond saying that it is a miracle. I won’t go into details, but let’s just say the Joe should have never made it out of Afghanistan alive. Joe’s wounds will forever change his life and our life, but it’s a handful of lives that can easily blend in to the seemingly countless others of veterans who have sacrificed so much. While in Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, we found out some amazing statistics. 44,000 army, navy, and marine soldiers have been through that hospital between the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Being in that hospital was a real eye-opener for me, as every other night the ambulance sirens would cut through the night and bring home several severely wounded soldiers. It was hard to see these “kids” of 18-20 years old missing limbs and thinking about how the rest of their life was completely changed from what might have been. The experience also left me aware of a program that helps our wounded veterans adjust to their new situation and remain successful in civilian life. That program is the Wounded Warrior Project
With that, I ask for your help. Through a website called Charity Bets I have set up an over/under bet regarding my placing at the upcoming Olympic Trials for the marathon. How it works is that you donate a higher amount if you believe I will finish in the top 10 and a smaller amount if I don’t. You can also make a standard donation if you don’t want to fuss around with making wagers. My goals are modest- to raise $500, or more, for the wounded warrior project. All proceeds from the bet goes towards the WWP. Any amount of donation is welcomed and greatly appreciated. To take te bet or to make a donation, please click here.
Thanks for your support! There are 44,000 veterans who say the same!
