As an amateur runner, I love races. I save all my race bibs and I write my time on the back of them. I have run 13 races, large and small, and each one has been special to me. Running is the most democratic of all sports; there is virtually no financial barrier for participation, there is little equipment and no special venue is needed. Weekend Warriors race alongside elite runners. Anyone can run, and anyone can watch. There are no ticket fees, no limits on spectators, and the runners race through the public space of a city.

This past weekend, I ran the one race that I have been looking forward to all year: Pat’s Run. I ran Pat’s Run for the first time last year after being selected as a Tillman Military Scholar. For me, this race is special because it has grown from a small run organized by Marie Tillman in Tempe, Arizona to a massive undertaking by the entire city of Phoenix. Pat’s Run embodies so many things: community, sacrifice, 10 years of war, loss, heroism, veterans, scholars, and courage.

Courage could be defined today as not knowing what evil lies on the other side of a decision, yet deciding to go anyway. When the Twin Towers fell on 9/11, Pat Tillman made a courageous decision. He placed one foot in front of the other and did not look back. He bravely left behind an exciting football career in Arizona, that was both comfortable and profitable, for a very different life as a U.S. Army Ranger. In his own words: “It doesn’t do me any good to be proud. It’s better to just force myself to be naïve about things, because otherwise I’ll start being happy with myself, and then I’ll stand still, and then I’m old news.” When Pat made his courageous decision, he became part of the 1 percent of Americans who serve our nation in uniform. Pat ultimately lost his life in the mountains of Afghanistan, placing him among the honored few who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation’s freedom.

On April 15th, when the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon became a war zone, our nation was instantly propelled back to the emotions of 9/11. But this time there was one notable difference. After a decade of war, there are now thousands of veterans who live in our local communities. They live among us, they are organized, they are motivated to serve, they are young and smart, and they have not allowed themselves to be isolated.

On April 15th, several of these men and women – the one percent-  where on the ground at the Boston Marathon. Among them was First Lieutenant Steve Fiola, a Massachusetts native. Fiola had participated in the Boston Marathon three times, each time rucking it. This year, he organized a team of soldiers to ruck the Marathon as Team “Tough Ruck.” Fiola’s team had just finished the 26.2 mile Ruck, and they were sitting exhausted near the finish line when they heard the blast on Boylston Street. These one percenters, like Pat Tillman, understand courage. Without knowing what evil stood ahead, they quickly jumped into action. They did not run to safety, they ran toward danger and they rendered aid to the fallen. As the Officer in Charge, Fiola immediately organized his exhausted team and jumped into action. He and his fellow soldier, 1SG Bernard Madore ripped down a fence that was separating the wounded from medical personnel and transport. Madore assisted children and helped with tourniquets, while Fiola rendered aid to a man on fire, with a badly burned face.

After tragic events like Boston, often all people can do is just do – placing one foot in front of the other, doing, creating, participating, working and running. This action, big or small, is important. It begins the exponential cycle of others acting and doing in service to others. In the end, simply doing creates real energy, real momentum, real organizations, and real missions of help that are changing lives. And in some cases, saving them.

Marie Tillman, Pat Tillman’s widow, is also a doer. When faced with the unspeakable loss of her husband, she also bravely left comfort behind and journeyed to a place unknown to her. Marie could have mourned the death of her husband privately and simply moved on with her life, leaving the Army part of her life behind. What she did instead placed her in the category of one percenters. She placed one foot in front of the other, slowly doing, creating one small project at a time, refusing to let herself become isolated. All this doing has resulted in what is now a solid and reputable mission that bears the name of her late husband. The Pat Tillman Foundation, started by Marie, Pat’s family and friends, is the result of a lot of people taking action and it has brought about tangible opportunities like Pat’s Run to give back to and support Tillman Military Scholars on their next journey after service. These two very real things serve a great need in our nation; they are not abstract, they are measurable energy, and they change our reality. Pat’s Run is the result of doing. After the evil in Boston, this weekend warrior and veteran could not wait to get to doing in Tempe – racing and supporting my fellow scholars who are carrying forward such an incredible legacy of leadership and service to country.

Shelly Burgoyne, a former Army officer who served two tours in Iraq, just completed her Master’s in Public Policy as a Tillman Military Scholar at the University of Maryland. She resides in San Antonio where she is currently awaiting assignment for a U.S. Embassy abroad.

“The Pat Tillman Foundation is closely monitoring the tragic events that occurred today at the Boston Marathon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families in the wake of this horrific incident. As we move forward for the 9th Annual Pat’s Run, the Tillman Foundation is working closely with the City of Tempe and Tempe Police, Arizona State University, Arizona State University Police Department and additional security to ensure the safety of all our runners and supporters on the ground this weekend. Increased security measures are being put into place as we move forward with the race.”

If you are member of the media seeking comment, please contact Michelle McCarthy at mmccarthy@pattillmanfoundation.org or (201) 675-1063.

TMS Adam Potter conducts an interview with Lin Sue Cooney and Mark Curtis of 12 News after Pat's Run.

1. The value of a curated veteran’s benefit by quality staff.

Immediately following Pat’s Run, I was asked by another veteran at my school to assist him on a research project about veterans organizations. I was to give feedback on which organizations provided quality services in my experience as a veteran. While answering, I had in mind prior lectures in business school about social organizations and their key success factors: a) there is a dedicated staff that curates the organization; b) the staff is very in touch with their market seeking all chances to interact and get to know each other; and c) the staff emphasizes participation in attempts to create community (not necessarily revenues). Many veterans organizations are out there and they are backed by passionate people with great intentions, but as we reviewed all that were available, we could see room for improvements; it was hard to say any had appeal or had reached out to their intended audiences in a meaningful and sustainable way or comprehensively met the three criteria above. The model in my mind was the Pat Tillman Foundation and particularly Hunter I Riley and Cara Hammer. I remember the first time I attended an event, the Pat Tillman Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. – I entered a room of what seemed like over a hundred people, and having never met or seen each other before, I was greeted by name, by Hunter with a big smile and immediate immersion. That same connection exists and is fostered for everyone. It became even more intense at the Pat’s Run where I was eager to meet everyone again and anyone new. It was becoming community to me and I look forward to more.

2. The value of college in my social transition from military to civilian.

I served 10 years of active duty in the Marine Corps from 2001-2010 with some officer training prior to that and continued drilling reserve status afterwards. While I am very proud of my service, I sensed as my active time was coming to a close that Marine and military culture had truly embedded itself in who I was and as a result, I was growing less culturally adaptive and professionally dynamic as I once was when younger. I could feel work habits and my expectations of interpersonal dynamics becoming more rigid. I was starting to get worried that the flexibility in which I prided to solve complex problems and work among diverse teams was perishing

When I left active Marine service, I hoped to start my own business service private commercial entities. However, my skills were too easily translated back to military service and as a result, I soon became a contractor to the Department of Defense traveling the country and working long hours at various military bases. It was hard to accomplish my own professional goals to transition to a new skill set and work environment while paying the bills and maintaining the household I had built as a mid-thirty year old. So I continued serving the military, but as a civilian

I needed time to go to school and finances to pay for the costs of education which have soared in tuition and in my own personal living standards and family obligations I had achieved up to my mid-level executive career

The Pat Tillman Foundation and Post-9/11 GI Bill have been the fundamental enablers of my ability to re-invest in myself as well as augment the skills I developed in the military with skills directly valuable to companies I learned at business school. My business school took interpersonal relationships and executive communication seriously and I took full advantage of formal courses, workshops and coaches in an attempt to capture my social flexibility and confidence with ideas and personalities coming from any source

Pat’s Run was the first time I was able to experience the value of this education in a new environment away from school where I had been incubating them over the prior 6-7 months. I was even able to benchmark from the prior Pat Tillman Leadership Summit in summer 2011 prior to going to college. Being able to move about the various new people I was exposed to over the weekend and interact with ease was great for me. I can definitely navigate a financial statement after going to business school, but just as importantly, I can navigate diverse people and civilian organizations after having the time to enjoy a safe environment for exposure at school.

3. Phoenix loves Pat Tillman!!!!

Often times when I talk about being a Tillman Military Scholar in other parts of the country, I have to refresh people’s memories. Not in Phoenix! I arrived wearing Tillman Military Scholar clothing and locals asked about or honored Pat Tillman constantly. Even more so, to enter the Sun Devil Stadium area and have it PACKED with people, all wearing Pat’s Run paraphernalia was moving! After Pat’s Run, as I boarded my plane, I was stopped multiple times upon entering the airport all the way to my seat on the plane.

• The TSA security guard who examined my ID and boarding pass: “That man,” pointing to the Pat’s Run logo on my chest and taking a moment to compose herself, “he was a good one.”
• The Southwest attendant as I boarded the plane: “The run was today! I go every year! Except today’s…I had to work. I’ll make up for it on the run next year!”
• Passing a seated man in the front of the plane on the way to my seat: Both Thumbs Up in the Air!

I think it says a lot about a city when a certain personality comes to represent it and its people uniformly choose her or him to be their symbol. Coming from San Diego, Shamu the Whale comes to most people’s minds and it is a very accurate representation of how seriously we take ourselves there. Leaving Phoenix, I hold it in higher esteem now knowing who they overwhelmingly choose to be their symbol.

TMS Rick Schumacher, Park University

I haven’t really run since I left the Army. That was in 2004. I have a couple of pretty severe back injuries that have always held me back. Last year, I helped with the Pat’s Run Shadow Run in Austin, TX and had the opportunity to represent Tillman Military Scholars side-by-side with TMS Angela Durko. She ran and I stayed behind guarding the purses, water and breakfast tacos. At the end of that Pat’s Run, Angela challenged me to run with her the next year.

In August, I quit smoking. In January, I joined a gym. Those 4.2 miles ran off in the distance. I was looking forward to meeting the challenge that Angela had given me. Then in March, I was accepted into a study that might help with one of my back injuries. I had two procedures and was immediately unable to walk without a cane. Since it was a new study, no one was entirely sure what the pain level would be like. For weeks, I stumbled. I was unable to go to the gym. I was practically unable to get out of bed. I was sure at this point that I was not going to be able to meet my challenge. By now, Angela’s words were amplified. I thought about Pat Tillman, his legacy and my part of that legacy as a Tillman Military Scholar. I woke up early and stretched every day. I walked around the block with my cane. After a week I was able to walk without the cane for a bit. I was hoping to walk a portion of the 4.2 as a sign that I was trying to live up to the legacy.

The day of the run arrived. I woke up early. I was able to walk without the cane at all. I decided that I would suit up in my running clothes, just in case I was able to walk part of the course. I met up with Angela, the awesome ASU Alumni and 40 or so runners dressed in red and black Pat’s Run race shirts. We all walked down to the starting line on the edge of Lady Bird Lake in Austin. I thought about my past, as an Army Paratrooper, how 5Ks were a weekly routine. I thought again about Pat Tillman and what I thought he would have done. I saw photos from other Tillman Military Scholars getting set to run in Tempe. I thought about Angela’s challenge. And then I ran.

Pints for Pat drew an overflow crowd of attendees, including Pat’s Run sponsors, media, Tillman Military Scholars, Tillman Scholars-ASU, Pat’s former Sun Devil football teammates, Team Tillman members and Pat Tillman Foundation staff who gathered to pay tribute to Pat.

As has become tradition, Rula Bula is selling 1,442 commemorative Guinness pint glasses with Pat’s number 42 etched on one side and a word that exemplifies Pat’s character and values on the other side. This year’s edition features the word “Courage.” The glasses are available exclusively at Rula Bula for $10 each while they last. All proceeds benefit the Tillman Military Scholars program.

Ken Kobs, a member of Team Tillman New York, checks out a Guinness Beach Cruiser at last week's Pints for Pat silent auction.

“Pints for Pat” also featured a silent auction that raised approximately $4,000 for the Tillman Military Scholars program.

Rula Bula was an establishment frequented by Pat during his time in Tempe. Following his death in 2004, some of Pat’s friends would order a pint of Guinness whenever they visited the pub and leave the pint sitting untouched on the bar as a tribute to Pat – thus the “Pints for Pat” idea was born.

Dear Pat Tillman Foundation Supporter,

Every November as communities throughout the country take time to celebrate Veterans Day, I am grateful that I have the privilege through the efforts of the Pat Tillman Foundation to honor military families and the sacrifices they make each and every day of the year. I am often asked what I enjoy most about the work that we do at the Foundation and the answer is simple – spending time and interacting with our amazing Tillman Military Scholars.

In June, the Pat Tillman Foundation welcomed the third class of Scholars into the Tillman Community by investing over $916,000 in educational scholarships. It was a highly competitive application process that saw over 1200 applications narrowed down to the 60 outstanding individuals that were selected. This summer, I had the pleasure of spending several days in Maryland at our annual Pat Tillman Legacy Summit with 90 of our 171 Tillman Military Scholars and was honored to see and hear first-hand the impact that Pat’s life, the Foundation and our supporters have made in their lives.

As I listened to the Scholars share their very personal stories with me, explaining why they chose to serve, what their experience was like and the challenges they face upon their return, it is clear that there is still a tremendous amount of work that needs to be accomplished. In addition to a lack of understanding by the general population, servicemembers are returning at unprecedented rates to an unstable economy and highly competitive job market resulting from high unemployment rates. Obtaining a degree is no longer an ambitious goal, but rather a required step to ensure economic stability. Through the Tillman Military Scholars program our goal is to bridge the gaps left by the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. By removing obstacles that would prohibit a servicemember or spouse from achieving academic success, the program aims to provide the financial and educational resources needed to prevent undeserved debt and establish a foundation for greater career opportunities.

Today, we invite you to join us as we fulfill our mission of investing in military veterans and their spouses through educational scholarships; building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others.

Below are just a few of the many ways you can get involved:

Run, Walk, Honor
Join 35,000 participants, volunteers and spectators from throughout the U.S. at the 8th Annual Pat’s Run. Registration is now open and space is limited. Register today to participate in the 4.2 mile run/walk or .42 mile Kids Run or donate your time and talents as a volunteer at the event.

Commit. Challenge. Support.
Become a member of Team Tillman. The Pat Tillman Foundation is honored to be recognized as an Official Charity Partner with guaranteed entries to participate in some of the most prestigious marathons in the world including the ING New York City Marathon, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the Marine Corps Marathon. Individuals can also earn gear and raise funds to support the Pat Tillman Foundation in conjunction with any race or athletic event nationwide.

Give. Donate. Invest.
Invest in veterans and military families by making your secure tax-deductible credit card donation online now.

Stay Informed
The Pat Tillman Foundation is upgrading our e-communications tool and respectfully request that you confirm your preferred e-mail address to stay up to date on Scholar achievements, news and upcoming events by completing this form. We also invite you to Become a Fan on Facebook – Pat Tillman Foundation (Official) and Follow us on Twitter @pattillmanfnd.

Since the Foundation was established in 2004, through the generous support of individuals and organizations nationwide, over $4 million has been invested in men and women committed to a life of service, both in and out of uniform. In recognition of Veterans Day we invite you to take a moment to view the interactive Scholar map online to learn more about the Tillman Military Scholars who are making a difference in your community.

Thank you for helping us honor Pat’s legacy by inspiring others to create their own.

Warm regards,

Marie Tillman
Co-Founder & President

Thousands of participants lined the streets of Tempe on April 16, 2011 for the 7th Annual Pat's Run.

7th Annual Pat's Run Race Start

Amongst the crowd in gold were 26 of 111 Tillman Military Scholars who made the trip to Tempe to participate in this year’s Pat’s Run.

Tillman Military Scholars Bonnie Contreras (with daughter Kenya) and Patrick Nelson hold the Finish Line tape.

Pat’s teammate and former ASU and NFL quarterback, Jake Plummer, was the official race starter and participants were thrilled to see him back in sunny Arizona.

Official Race Starter and Pat's former Sun Devil and Cardinal teammate, Jake Plummer.

The 4.2 mile run/walk ends on the 42-yard line of Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium, symbolic of the #42 jersey Pat wore while he was a Sun Devil football player. The event also featured a Kids Run where more than 2,300 children participated in a .42 mile race.

Pat's Run Kids Run Start

Through a partnership with the Arizona State University Alumni Association and with support from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, 4.2 mile Pat’s Run Shadow Runs were held in 21 cities spanning from San Diego, California to Washington, D.C. Over 1,200 Pat Tillman Foundation supporters joined across the U.S. to shadow the run in Tempe.

San Francisco Shadow Run

In addition, over a thousand servicemembers participated in casual Troop Runs coordinated and organized by U.S. military in Afghanistan, El Salvador, England, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.

Kandahar Airfield Troop Run

More than $1 million was generated at the 7th Annual Pat’s Run which will directly support the Foundation’s mission to invest in veterans and their families through education and community.

Currently, the Pat Tillman Foundation is reviewing 1,242 applications submitted by deserving servicemembers and dependents during the 2011 online application process. In June, the Pat Tillman Foundation will pledge over a million dollars in scholarship support to the third class of Tillman Military Scholars.

To date, the Pat Tillman Foundation has invested over $3.5 million in educational resources to support individuals committed to a life of service both in and out of uniform.

Mark your calendar for Veterans Day – November 11, 2011 when online registration will open for the 8th Annual Pat’s Run.

To view more of the excitement and impact as told through participant photos and thoughts, visit our Facebook page and find a sampling of coverage below:

• April 16, 2011– Pat’s Run in interviews | 12 News
• April 16, 2011– Pat’s Run in photos | azcentral.com
• April 16, 2011– Pat’s Run in video | azcentral.com
• April 16, 2011– Running Pat’s Run ’cause he can | msnbc.com
• April 17, 2011– Pat’s Run in El Salvador | dvids.com
• April 18, 2011– Pat’s Run Photos | ASU News
• April 19, 2011– Tillman Scholars inspire, are inspired by Pat’s Run | azcentral.com

Pat’s Run supporters gather in downtown Phoenix at 12News with the Arizona Cardinals’ Big Red.

Yesterday, dozens of Pat’s Run supporters rallied in downtown Phoenix to take part in a couple news segments with Pat’s Run media partner 12News. Watch this clip from the first segment.

12News’ Mark Curtis interviews Pat Tillman Foundation Director of Programs Hunter I Riley and other Pat’s Run supporters.

12News will be broadcasting live from Pat’s Run on Saturday, April 16!

The third annual Pints for Pat fundraiser collects funds and generates awareness in support of the Pat Tillman Foundation through the sale of Pints for Pat souvenir glasses. The limited edition collector’s glass will be sold exclusively at Rula Bula. Each Guinness pint glass is etched with the number 42 and a word that celebrates Pat’s legacy. This year, 1442 glasses, the 3rd in the series, features the word Integrity. Each glass costs $10 and 100% of the proceeds support the Tillman Military Scholars program.

Steve Delaney at Rula Bula mentions the significance of the Guinness pint glass in an interview earlier this year, “We sell pint glasses for Pat’s Run every year – it’s a Rula Bula [Guinness pint] glass that has Pat’s number 42 on it. It’s a replica of the glass he drank out of, which we have up on the shelf over there. All the money from those goes to the Pat Tillman Foundation, and last year we sold 80 cases.”

The event also featured an auction.

Didn’t make it to Pints for Pat last week? Stop by Rula Bula for the next 36 days to purchase the limited edition collector’s glass.

See more photos from the evening’s activities here. (Photos courtesy of Joseph Greenbaum.)