Meet my new friend, Lisa Hallett.
Lisa is the founder of wear blue: run to Remember, which honors the service and sacrifice of the American military– and their families.
I first learned of wearing blue a few years ago when I ran the Seattle Marathon. They had taken over the entire 13th mile of the race and lined it with posters with pictures of fallen servicemen and women. Next to each poster stood a person holding an American flag as a living memorial.
It was one of the most moving and memorable miles I\’ve ever run. Even more so when I learned of Lisa\’s story and why she started wearing blue.
Lisa started wearing blue after her husband, CPT John Hallett, was killed while serving in the 5-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan.
I cannot begin to imagine the pain of that tragedy or the strength it took to channel that pain into something as powerful as wearing blue.
In addition to their marathon memorials, wear blue chapters gather for morning runs all over the country. They also have two programs to help the families of fallen servicemen and women.
The Gold Star Race Program is open to spouses, parents, children, and siblings of those who have died while in service of the United States military. The program helps them train for a marathon, and even covers their entry fees and travel to the events.
The Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program, in partnership with Big Brothers-Big Sisters, is a community impact program, pairing active duty military with children of fallen service members in a 9-week run mentorship program. It encompasses goal setting, storytelling, and physical training to help Gold Star children heal.
I am grateful to Lisa for sharing her story and mission with us.
Also, on a personal note, Lisa has steeled my resolve to make the changes necessary to Charity Miles so that we can support many more charities like wear blue.
#EveryMileMatters