We Ran

Today was incredible. In 90+ heat 5,000 people... men, women, and children ran and/or walked in memory of the 600+ screaming eagles who passed away, represented by flags in the middle of the division parade field. It was worth every step... I am also very proud of C who ran beside me! Couldn't of had a better running partner!

C showing me he was drinking his water.

A photo of part of the flags representing each of the 600+ soldiers who died overseas while stationed here.



C and I after running a mile in 90+ southern heat and humidity.

Year two down in memory of my friend and in memory of all fallen soldiers. I plan on running this run until I no longer can. So until next year -

Run for the Fallen 2011

Tonight I Run In His Honor

Tonight we, the community made of military and civilian alike, will run in memory of those we have lost.

It will be so hard not to cry as I run a mile with my child.

Thankfully my child knows of no one who has lost their father so he will be running with his fathers company shirt on but I will be running for a dear friend...



This guy right here...

SPC Matthew Catlett

Seems like only yesterday we were sitting around at a house party talking about the upcoming deployment and all the plans the guys had for when they came home... laughing, drinking, talking about family, discussing politics, playing Rock Band...

Catlett never came back to us.

He was KIA in Afghanistan June 7, 2010 with five other of his comrade's in arms.

This will be my second year running in his honor. I will be wearing the same memorial shirt with the NO SLACK emblem and my memorial bracelet with pride.

Yet I know I will be humbled and a little emotional by all those around me running as well.  

There is a quote by the Wounded Warror Project that says "The Greatest Casualty is Being Forgotten".

This ones for you Catlett!

NEVER FORGOTTEN

SPC MATTHEW R. CATLETT TX ARMY 

ENDURING FREEDOM 07 JUN 10 KIA

In Memory of Garret Goodson

T and I bought our house six years ago, the same year that Mr. Garret Goodson started his lawn care business. For those six years he mowed my yard, cut my bushes, and landscaped my flower beds. No yard was complete without a glass of water and some conversation about politics, local gossip, and deep thought provoking questions.

I learned that Mr. Goodson was a family man. Married for 19 years with a couple of sons, one of which helped his lawn business by weedeating. He wore a uniform and combat boots for several years before attending college (again) for agriculture after retirement. The military had him travel far away from his home in lower Alabama where there is a family farm. He was brilliant, a wealth of information.

When I left for Ft Benning Garret called to ask if he needed to mow my yard, I texted when I got back because my yard had not been taken care of. I heard nothing which was very unlike him. By the next morning one of my friends and neighbors had texted for his number saying the one she had wasn't accepting calls. Our neighborhood was confused with all of our yards being unkept. No one had seen him in days.

By yesterday evening we all knew why.

On June 30th Garret passed away.

What a loss. No longer will we see his old Cadillac pulling his John Deere lawnmower. Summers won't be the same having one less person who smiled and waved as you drove by.  

Today I will be mowing my own grass, the first time in almost six years, with a heavy heart.