A day to remember

Memorial Day is more than just an extra day off of work. It's more than just great sales at stores. It's more than the start of summer vacations and camping season.

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor the hero's that have sacrificed their lives for our country.

July 14th, 2009 1-17 IN 5/2 SBCT deployed to Afghanistan. My love was the First Sergeant for Alpha Company.

The Soldiers with their families getting ready to leave

I was stuck to him from the minute we woke up to the minute they left

Prepping for formation

On August 25th 2009 and IED detonated under a stryker vehicle killing Alpha Company Commander CPT John Hallett, the Battalion Physician’s Assistant, CPT Cory Jenkins, a Senior Medic, SFC Ronald Sawyer, and the Stryker’s driver, SPC Dennis Williams.

CPT John Hallett

CPT Hallett didn't get to meet his daughter who was born 3 weeks prior to his death. He also left behind 2 small boys and a beautiful wife, Lisa Hallett.

He was always the nicest person when I was around the office. The day they deployed he held a quick meeting with all his Soldiers, he was about to say a cuss word but stopped short cause he knew I was there. He was a hard worker and cared for his job and his Soldiers. Gene and CPT Hallett would be working in the office late into the evenings.

23 Soldiers were killed from 1-17 IN BN, 41 in total from the Brigade

Two days after CPT Hallett's death, Lisa ran. She, along with other wives started the group Wear Blue Run to Remember:

"Our Vision is to remember the Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice."

"Our Mission is to establish a running community that serves as a living memorial to the Service  and Sacrifice to the American Military."

"Our Goals are to Humanize the loss of war, support the community affected by this loss, and participate in and train for running events."

This year they will again be running at Seattle Rock and Roll marathon. If you ran it last year you remember the the 41 flags along the course. This year mile 5 of the course will be run by BLUE, handing out water and holding flags.

If you are in the Seattle area and want to volunteer at Seattle Rock and Roll for Wear Blue Run to Remember follow this link
http://www.elitevolunteer.com/er/signup_form1.php?event_id=232

If you want more information on the group you can go to their website
http://www.wearblueruntoremember.org


It's not fair and it's hard to understand why these men are taken from their families. When I see families that take the time they have with their loved ones for granted I think of all the families that wish they could spend just one more day with their Soldier, hear their voice, feel them put their arms around them, hug them, kiss them one last time.

Lisa has been such an inspiration to me and many other women and families.
CPT Hallett and all our lost hero's live on through all the runners lacing up every Saturday, wearing blue and remembering.

You don't have to live in WA to help. You can donate here to help them keep running
http://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/donate.html

You can purchase a shirt through their website or wear your own blue shirt and run or walk in honor of our hero's any day of the week.

If you would like to read more about Lisa & John's story click below
http://andrialindquistblog.com/2011/02/23/february-inspirashown-lisa/


So tomorrow remember why it's Memorial Day. Remember the sacrifice of our fallen hero's. Tell a Soldier thank you.

Thank you 1SG Gene Hicks for being such an inspiration in my life. Thank you for your 21 years of service, for all the sacrifices you have made in your life that other's will never know or understand so that we may live in freedom. I love you

To all the Soldiers currently serving, to their families, and to any readers I have that are in the military, have a husband, wife or family member in the military, THANK YOU for the bottom of my heart.