Run 2 Remember Participants, & Families of our Fallen Heroes,
I just want to take a minute of your time and express my gratitude for all of you that are planning on participating in the Run 2 Remember on May 18th and 19th, either in the Keys 100 or in your local community. Last year I had the honor of helping LT. Bruns get the word out about his goal to run 100 miles on his own and raise money for the CG Foundations Fallen Heroes Scholarship fund. This year, thanks to the hard work of LT Love, the 2nd Annual Run 2 Remember has grown beyond what any of us could have imagined. As of writing this, we are expecting over 72 runners in the Keys 100, with each runner representing an individual Coastguardsman that was lost. As if that alone were not enough, more of you showed your support by organizing runs on May 18th and 19th at your base, sector, district, and headquarters.
This tremendous amount of support is not shocking or unexpected, but it's a representation of a small service and each individuals adherence to the core values that we represent. Honor. Respect. Devotion to Duty. Sometimes our lives get busy and we all take things for granted, but it's the resolve and spirit that you all are showing that represent each of the three values. Honoring those that came before us and gave their lives in service to this nation. Respect for who they were, what they stood for, the families they left behind, and the friends who's lives they changed. Devotion to Duty by never forgetting that overall, it's not about us, it's about those who have sacrificed and our mission to make sure that the future of this service will remember their names.
Each morning when we attend colors, put on the uniform, and go out to do the mission, we are carrying on the core values of not only the Coast Guard, but the core values of the fallen shipmates who lead before us. This run is more than a memorial, it's a remembrance. It serves to remind us of those who we have lost.
To LT. Bruns, your initial vision and drive to honor the fallen has grown from a one man event into a national remembrance. Without out your selfless actions, this event would not exist. You should be proud of what you have started. Thank you.
To the Miami CPO's, the t-shirt concept took an event and turned it into a mission. What was originally planned as a run to honor the fallen was multiplied by your actions and turned it into so much more. You helped fuel a fundraiser to support the families of those we honor. Thank you.
To LT. Lucy Love, you have taken Mr. Bruns vision and transformed it into a movement. Your dedication to this evolution has been the key in taking a one man run and turning it into what could be a participation level of over hundreds of people. You were determined to continue the Run 2 Remember and without that drive, we would have not seen the participation levels, coverage, and success that we have now. Thank you.
For those running, walking, or biking, I simply say thank you. You are not only taking part in a fundraiser to support the families of fallen shipmates, you are also carrying the memory and legacy of our service. As each of you take part in this Run to Remember, keep in thought the names of those we lost, the missions they conducted, and the sacrifices made. You are representing them, you are displaying their heroism, and you are making sure that everyone remembers their sacrifice. We will always remember.
To the families of the fallen members, we know that nothing will ever ease the pain you have from losing a loved one, but you need to know that every member of the Coast Guard is with you, thanks you, and ensures that your sacrifice will always be remembered. I hope that you can find some comfort in the fact that we will not ever forget them and what they sacrificed for. Our uniforms all have our names on the right side, but bears the words US Coast Guard on the left...and that makes us all family. We will always remember our family.
I wish all of you the best of luck and I thank you for the support.
Sincerely,
MK1 Sean Lawler, USCG.
