One Team. 5 Days. 177.5 Miles For Wounded Warriors

From 22-26 October 2008 the newly formed Team Esprit De Corps will be running in the 33rd annual Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (IMSFF). However, we wanted to do something different. So in typical Jarhead fashion we are about to embark on something that many would consider “a little extreme”. The four of us will endure 177.5 miles of running in order to raise funds and awareness for our wounded Marines, Sailors, and their families through the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

Why do you ask? While there are hundreds of reasons why anyone would want to voluntarily endure several days of sweat, sacrifice and pain the one that stands out to us the most is: “taking care of our own”. That’s a phrase that has been ingrained in every Marine’s “brain housing group” since the birth of the Corps back in 1775. From the boot Private to the Commandant of the Marine Corps each Marine has a certain sense of obligation to their brothers in arms. If a fellow Leatherneck is short a few bucks until payday his brother will spot him until he gets back on his feet again. If a Devil Dog has nowhere to go for the holidays it is his brother who will invite him over for a Thanksgiving feast before allowing him to spend a 96 alone in the barracks. I can go on and on but the point being is that Marines take care of Marines. Not because the Gunny tells them to or else there will be hell to pay. It’s because Marines believe in looking out for and taking care of one another.

So, from 22-25 October, the four of us will endure 37.8 miles of running per day for four days straight. Our starting location will be none other than the site where Tun Tavern, the birthplace of the Marine Corps, once proudly stood in the city of brotherly love known as Philadelphia. We will make our way through some of the historical landmarks in the area and navigate our way safely to the MCM start point in Arlington, VA. Then on Sunday October 26th we will complete all 26.2 miles of the MCM. Yes it is a lot of miles. Of course it will be difficult. At times we may even feel that it will be nearly impossible to finish. But the small amount of pain and suffering we will endure for a short period of time is nothing compared to what these wounded warriors have gone through. Not to mention the challenges they will have to endure for the rest of their lives.

All in all, this event has definitely sparked a great amount of interest in people which has also brought out the best in all of them as well. I’m not just talking about the generous donations that have been pouring in either. I’m talking about one Marine in particular who has renewed my faith in society by demonstrating an inspirational act of unselfishness. The unsung hero that I’m referring to is a dedicated Marine that goes by the name of Freddy Hoch. Freddy is a fellow Gunnery Sergeant who works with Joe, a member of our team, and asked one day if he could make a donation to our cause. While Joe was graciously willing to accept a $10, $20, or even $25 donation Freddy was thinking more along the lines of paying for each team member's entry fee into the MCM. That’s over $400!!! ($408.70 to be exact) What an awesome act of unselfishness and generosity! We couldn’t thank Freddy enough! I mean here is one individual who before this didn’t know any of us except for Joe. Who upon hearing what we were about to attempt offered us this generous gift. It’s truly amazing and comforting to know that there are people like Freddy out there in the world. After many thanks made to him by our team Freddy’s modest response was, “Not a problem…You guys make me want to be a better runner!” Well Freddy, you make me want to be a better human being! Thanks again brother!

Freddy’s generous contribution to our cause metaphorically opened the door to the journey that we are about to embark. So as our team moves ahead toward it’s objective we look forward to the 177.5 mile historical endurance challenge we are about to face. By demonstrating to the American public the loyalty and devotion four motivated Marines have for their beloved Corps we hope to capture the essence of the Marine Corps spirit every step of the way. When all the sweat, sacrifice and pain we are about to endure over the next several months comes to an end in October we will have undoubtedly sustained the very essence of our team’s namesake: Esprit De Corps!

"Those of us who have had the privilege of serving in the Marine Corps value our experience as among the most precious of our lives. The fellowship of shared hardships and dangers in a worthy cause creates a close bond of comradeship. It is the basic reason for the cohesiveness of Marines and for the pride we have in our Corps and our loyalty to each other." -Senator Paul H. Douglas

Semper Fidelis,
Team Esprit De Corps