On Veterans Day, Mike Gilmartin is adding extra purpose to his marathon. Running to honor the life of CPT John L. Hallett III, he is also running to keep the promise made at John’s funeral in September of 2009.
Mike and John met at West Point, but it was the time spent together as platoon leaders and deployed to Iraq for 13 months that solidified their friendship. Mike remembers John as a steadfast professional of the highest morals and values; but also the quirky and funny guy married to the delightful Lisa. They were the couple who Mike and his wife Bridget enjoyed spending their free time with. When John was killed in combat on August 25, 2009, on his way home from a goodwill mission, three precious and very young children lost the chance to know their father. Mike promised to keep John’s memory alive for them.
Since that promise was made, John’s widow Lisa has co-founded wear blue: run to remember, a national nonprofit dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of the American military. Acting as a support network, wear blue is an all inclusive community actively bridging the gap between military and civilian communities through the platform of running. Using active remembrance and meaningful relationships, wear blue motivates and empowers individuals to healthy, more inspired living.
Mike Gilmartin has actively volunteered with wear blue in his Chicago community working to grow the organization’s impact and fiscal security. His efforts directly contributed to the development of additional communities across the nation; his mission continues in this Veterans Day Run and this Veterans Day his mission continues.
Over 17,000 children across the United States have lost a parent in military service. Under the umbrella of wear blue programs, the Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program pairs children of fallen military with currently serving members of our armed forces to build resilience, healthy coping mechanisms, and a connection to a life of service. Children are empowered to navigate the complicated impacts of traumatic childhood grief, and reclaim their lost identities as military children, while mentors are able to complete their own cycles of healing.
At three locations currently - Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Fort Bragg, and San Antonio - Mike is hoping to turn the steps of his Veterans Day marathon into the physical manifestation of a fourth location: Quantico, Virginia (Spring, 2021)
He hopes you will join him in raising $25,000. Here is what your gift can do:
$100: covers the cost of the American running flag, tribute poster of the Fallen Service Member and the child’s finisher’s medal
$250: secures a personalized wear blue shirt,running shoes for the child and covers the cost of the mentor’s screening
$500: makes it possible for the child and mentor to participate in team building activities like (hiking, rope courses, rock climbing, etc), throughout the program by covering event expenses, as well as their coaching process throughout the cycle (training plan, logs, and expert speakers)
$2,000: fully funds the participation of a Gold Star Child and Mentor.
Together wear blue is transforming lives and building stronger futures - but without you and supporters like Mike Gilmartin it just wouldn’t be possible. See how close he is to reaching his goal here.