5k PR and a bit of reflection

This morning I did a 5k. I didn't want to do any more 5ks, since I prefer longer distances, but this particular 5k, the proceeds were going to my favorite charity, the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Stewart.

I never take for granted that I deployed twice to Iraq and not only made it back home twice, but uninjured as well. I wanted to run for those who couldn't run anymore. My time was 24:50.

It was exactly this day, 9 years ago, that I decided to join the Army. I was 18 years old,just graduated high school, and didn't know what to do with my life. I saw the horrors on TV and knew then and there it was my duty as an 18 year old American to enlist and go fight. A few days later I was sworn in and a few weeks after that I was on a plane going to Army basic training.

War was tough, I'm still trying to deal mentally with it. My war experience took part in me becoming morbidly obese, but the weight loss is helping me move on, leaving it all behind. No matter what though, I will always be proud of my service and be proud of what I did. My husband is in Iraq on his second tour right now. One day,when we have grandchildren who are in school and learning about the war in Iraq, I hope they take pride in the fact that grandma and grandpa took part in it.

 I am so very proud of you for your service at such a young age and for your fight to get your life back!!!  I am also proud of you for running such a great and important race!!! My husband has done two tours in Afghanistan,so I know how you are feeling with your husband gone, I hope he comes home soon!!!!
 I wanted to do the one that they had here in Virginia, but I was not able to, thank you for supporting our wonderful troops!!!!

Erin

Jillian, thank you and your husband for your service to our country.

My son was stationed at Ft. Stewart. He was in the 10Th Engineer Battalion. He has had some problems as well.
 
pan head

Jillian,

Really not sure what to say... so please humor me...

Close your eyes, sit back, and feel a warm and giant gentle hug around your shoulders.

Thank you.  Days like today, I miss my dad tremendously. Ret. LCDR USN (Korea, Viet Nam).

Thank you, your  husband, and all of our military personnel, past, present,  current, future.

God Bless-

Kathy

America is greatful for you dad's service, he will eternally be a hero. Thanks for the hug and your support.

Thank you, Jillian, and your family for keeping our country and our families safe. You and your family have made sacrifices that most of us can't even imagine. You're a hero in my eyes.

Jenny

Thanks to you and your husband for serving our country.  Congrats on your PR!

i am really amazed and respect what young people give and give up for our country when they serve, thanks from me and my family for your (and your husband's) contribution.

on the race note, holy moly, that is a great time!  congrats!

Thank you everyone for your support, for awhile there after I returned home I was depressed from the lack of support from my fellow americans. The support for our troops is alive and well in here and that makes me so happy.