MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Lessons Learned at The Marine Corps Marathon

The past October I flew to Washington DC, to join 30,000 runners, competing in the U.S. Marine Corps Marathon. It was my 47th marathon, but my first time running the Marine Corps race. As fate would have it, a chance meeting created the most memorable experience of my running. 

The race began in Virginia, in front of the Pentagon.  By mile four we were crossing the Memorial Bridge, into the nations capital.  

It was around mile 12 that I was passed by another runner.  He appeared to be in his late 60’s, but had a powerful running form.  Judging from his chiseled body, close-cut hair, and intense focus, I suspected he was a former Marine. As he passed, I saw written on the back of his shirt, “Running for my son Tyler.”  I immediately ran faster to catch him. 

“I noticed your shirt,” I said as I caught up with him, “I began running marathons for my son, also named Tyler.”  At the sound of the name “Tyler”, his eyes lit up.  In a deep graveled voice he said, “Really! Tell me about your Tyler.”  

I responded, “My son Tyler, at 15 years old, was diagnosed with stage IV leukemia. During his battle, I decided to run my first marathon, in his honor, to raise money for childhood leukemia research. What about your son?”  

My new running partner replied in his deep gruff voice, “My Tyler is waiting for me, a couple miles ahead. Keep up, and I’ll point him out to you. But please, tell me more about your Tyler.  Did he win his fight?” 

“Absolutely”, I responded. “He is now 10 years cancer free, married, and has a son!”  

“That is wonderful!” He replied. “To watch your own child, with a child of their own… a beautiful miracle.”  We continued running through the rain, as he asked more questions about my son. 

Then we reached mile 13, a very unique and special mile for the Marine Corps Marathon. Along this entire mile, every two feet, on both sides of the street, mounted on sign posts, are 2’ x 3’ laminated photographs.  Each photograph is of a U.S. Marine, killed in action.  

We now ran in silence, through this solemn mile, looking at the faces and names.  Hundreds of young men and women, all of whom paid the ultimate price, to protect the life we freely enjoy.

Two-thirds of the way through this mile, my new running partner suddenly grabbed my elbow and stopped. He said, in his low deep voice,  “Here… is my Tyler.”  He walked to a sign post, dropped to his knees in the mud and rain, and placed his hand on the photo. I stood in silence, as runners continued behind me. He run his fingers over the words below the photo.  His voice cracked, as he read the words, “Tyler Kennedy. Killed in action. Iraq. Age 19.”  Even through the rain, I could see the tears pouring from his eyes.

After a few moments, he turned to me said, “Go now. Finish your race. Complete your mission. I’m going to stay here just a little while longer, with my son.”  

I stepped back onto the road, and joined the other runners, leaving the grieving father with the memory of his son.

The marathon course continued past Washingtons many war memorials and monuments. Then we ran across the bridge, back into Virginia. The rain stopped as I reached mile 23, and soon the sun was shining.  Then came the beautiful sight of mile-marker 26, and now only 352 yards remaining to the finish.

The final leg of the Marine Corps Marathon is up an insane hill. I charged that hill with everything I had remaining, pulling from a reservoir I didn’t even know existed. As I did I looked up. Towering above us, on top of the hill, stood the 60’ tall statue of the iconic image of the Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima. 

I reached the top of the hill, searching desperately for the finish line (I was really, really ready to stop running!).  Then a Marine stepped in front of me, and yelled, “Sir! You have run the good race!” He then place the Marine Corps Marathon metal over my head, saluted me, and yelled, “Well done, sir! Mission accomplished!” 

Looking around I saw hundreds of Marines, saluting and congratulating every runner, as they reached the top of that hill. “Well done! Mission accomplished!” 

After the race I walked to the base of the Iwo Jima statue.  I thought about Tyler Kennedy, a young man I knew only through a photograph.  A young man who never met me, and yet gave his life, to protect my way of life.  And I thought of the hundreds of thousands who had sacrificed so much for my freedoms.

Then I arrived at another realization.  These many young men and women willingly sacrificed their lives, even with the full knowledge that many of us would take their sacrifices for granted. They knew many of us would squander our many freedoms and opportunities, paid for at such a high cost. 

But they also knew there would be the few. The very few who are willing to embrace the lives we have been granted, and use our opportunities to pay forward, to improve all of humanity. 

Each and everyone of us is born with a special purpose, a unique life mission. This is inescapable. But achieving our mission is optional, and requires focus and discipline. 

Tyler Kennedy’s mission in life was to help clear the path, to open the door for us to complete our mission. What is your mission? It is there inside you, deep within your soul. Will you discover your mission, and fight your good fight?  Run your good race?  

It has been 11 years since my son was diagnosed with leukemia, and I ran that first marathon. I raised $2,500 for childhood cancer research that year. Then it became my mission… and over the past 11 years I have completed an additional forty-seven marathons, thirty-two triathlons, and raised $2,376,267 for childhood cancer research. 

And I am not done.  In 2020 I will compete in the Nashville, Chicago, and Ohio State triathlons, as well as run the Tampa Distance Classic, Big Sur Marathon, and finish the year with the original marathon in Athens, Greece. 

Why? Because childhood cancer still exists, therefore my mission is not yet complete.  

What is your mission?

It is my hope and desire that you will fight for your mission. This world needs you, and all you have to offer. Are you willing to become one of the few, one of the proud?  

The world is waiting for you.  Pursue your mission with full dedication and commitment. Become one of the few, one of the proud. Complete your life in a manner that those who sacrificed before us will stand and salute, proclaiming, “Well done! You have run the good race. Mission accomplished!”