http://www.PathwayToHope.org

1st Annual Walk-A-Thon for Pathway To Hope organized by Survivors was a success!  The weather was perfect and both Survivors and Family members participated in the walk and the hot dogs cook-out.

That’s me in jeans, flip-flops and sunglasses.   This organization is very near and dear to my family.  I will be sharing more in future blogs.  http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3749354&op=1&view=all&subj=1053470657&id=146624378407#/home.php?ref=home

An emotional run on yesterday, meeting family members who lost a loved one while 400 did the run. Seeing the pride of active / vets with Army, Navy and other all forces. Olathe Fire and Police cheering the runners on. A woman, 96, who had run and stayed around to support runners.  A fantastic job to the committee / volunteers and the 200 Army members who ran overseas.  The respect, the way everyone helped to make sure the race was full of Energy, The runners crossing the finish line, 9 hours and 11 minutes, under Large American Flags on both sides of the track with the bodies aching, some injured, but, oh you missed seeing the look of accomplishment they had endured.  One man said to me, as I was concerned about him, at the end of the race, he said, every time I passed you on a lap, tired, aching, I remembered the Firefighters on 9-11 who climbed 70 steps of stairs on 9-11 searching for survivors.  Great job!!!  Thank you for allowing me to share the day with you!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Patriots-Run/147307807680

Respectfully, one of the water ladies

9-11 Patriot’s Run today

I cried through the ceremony.  It was very touching to see how many active / veterans were at the dinner and will do the run.  There was a table presentation “The Missing Warrior” by Captain Mark Bicskei.  It was to remind us of those heroes who are not here on this day of Remembrance.  The Captain did share he is with the Reservist Unit in Gardner and just brought home ALL 293 heroes just last week from a year’s deployment.

I heard my friend Roger, who led 3 deployments, speak quietly, proudly, and respectfully … “Amazing job” before the Captain’s standing ovation.

I was a guest at the Salvation’s Army fundraising dinner last night for the 9-11 Patriot’s Run today … actually started last night as some local runners did laps overnight as our troops in Afghanistan were running the 9 hour 11 minute run on 9-11 their time.

My friends, Roger and Dana Ward, have shared their stories of 9-11; Roger’s 3 deployments in 5 years and Dana being in the National Guard.  I am humbled and full of new respect at what they have over-come as most vets choose not to share their stories.  And Dana’s passion not to forget those serving, and oh yes, those family members at home.

I heard Major Marstsolf share this as one of the examples of 9-11.  The Salvation Army had one tent with 25 donated reclining chairs.  A female Salvation Army Captain and her volunteers had one task on 9-11 at Ground Zero while the recovery was taking place amidst the smoke, crashing buildings and fire.

The Fire Department, part of the First Responders team, were getting overheated while tenderly bringing Survivors out of the rumble.  As they took 15 minute breaks, the Firefighters were brought to this tent.  This Salvation Army tent had one purpose: to help the firefighters tenderly remove their steamy, hot black rubber boots charred and burned, from their swollen feet.  They removed the hot sweaty dirty socks. To bathe their feet in clean, cool water, blistered and swollen. Then they put fresh socks on, helping put those boots back on as the fireman returned to Ground Zero searching for more Survivors. 

http://www.fox4kc.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=bd8e3b2a-02bc-42d7-af1b-c5d088d0af8a&src=front

God Bless America. If you are not observing this day of Remembrance come to the race to say Thank You.

With mixed feelings, I finished my work for the day to give my full attention to President Obama’s speech on Health Care.  This issue has been a part of my life as a freelance web master, as I watched my father spend retirement funds to allow my mother to deal with dignity and pride, as only my mom could do, with one of the worst diseases and a very long illness. 

As a parent who has guilt that my children have to deal with the alcoholic gene and its negative results if inherited.  And for all those I love who suffer with Mental Illness; depression, anxiety, those undiagnosed due to their mental illness, and those with Paranoid Schizophrenia.  I’m listening intensely to the President as a female biz owner, a mother, a grandmother.