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9th Annual Pat’s Run Highlights

Over 35,000 runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators united at Sun Devil Stadium on Saturday, April 20 to Run, Walk and Honor Pat’s legacy of leadership and service. All 50 states were represented and amongst the crowd were 40 Tillman Military Scholars and their families in special gold Pat’s Run race shirts. People from a few months old to 86 years of age were in attendance to celebrate Pat’s legacy. Thousands of supporters also turned out in full force at over 28 Shadow Runs in cities across the country as well as two Troop Runs in Afghanistan this April. (Photo highlights are now online for your viewing and purchase.)

Over 2,600 kids participated in the .42 mile Kids Run and four of those youngsters were named Tillman. But, none of this would have been possible without the 1,200 volunteers who helped with Race Week and Race Day responsibilities. We’d also like to give a special shout out to the 200 Team Tillman members who raised over $77,000 during Pat’s Run.

On behalf of the Pat Tillman Foundation, the Pat’s Run Race Committee and the community of Tillman Military Scholars that directly benefits from your support of Pat’s Run – THANK YOU for being with us every step of the way!

At the Pat Tillman Foundation we cannot fulfill our mission without the generosity of individuals and sponsors like you – who share Pat’s passion and desire to make a difference. Thank you again for your participation and continued support of Pat’s Run and all of our Tillman Military Scholars nationwide.

Watch for news about the 5th class of Tillman Military Scholars in June! In the meantime, mark your calendar for Veteran’s Day – November 11, 2013 when registration opens for the 10th Annual Pat’s Run!

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Pat’s Run Exemplifies Spirit of Selflessness

by Shelly Burgoyne, Tillman Military Scholar

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.

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Statement on the Boston Marathon Tragedy

Today, the Pat Tillman Foundation released the following statement about the 9th Annual Pat’s Run in the wake of the tragedy at the Boston Marathon:

“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.

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5th Annual Pints for Pat

The fifth annual Pints for Pat glass fundraiser collects funds and generates awareness in support of the Pat Tillman Foundation. Pints for Pat is the kick-off event counting down the 42 days to the 9th Annual Pat’s Run, the Foundation’s signature fundraiser. The event also features a silent auction.

Stop by Rula Bula in Tempe beginning March 8 at 4 p.m. to purchase a 2013 Pints for Pat souvenir glass, the fifth glass in the series.  This year, 1,442 limited-edition Guinness pint glasses will be sold exclusively at Rula Bula.  Each glass is etched with the number 42 and a word that celebrates Pat’s legacy. The word for 2013 will be revealed at this event. Each glass costs $10 and 100% of the proceeds will support the Tillman Military Scholars program.  Please note, glasses are only available at Rula Bula on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rula Bula is located at 401 S. Mill Avenue in Tempe.

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Basketball Beyond Barriers

Each year, Tillman Scholars-ASU conduct a community service event at a local school, Basketball Beyond Barriers. The 2012 Class of Tillman Scholars from ASU’s W.P. Carey School just completed this year’s BBB event.

Bright and early, the Tillman Class of 2012 scurried over to Longfellow Elementary Schooll in Mesa for the awaited Basketball Beyond Barriers Event. BBB was a success! Approximately 90 students attended the camp and they were more excited than ever. The Tillman Scholars arrived promptly at 7:30 am to begin the set up. Basketball camp was to be held from 9 am to 4 pm with a huge lunch break at noon. The camp was divided into two sessions, K-3rd grade in the morning and 4th –6th grade in the afternoon. One by one, a mix of rowdy and excited students presented themselves. Although, basketball was the main focus, the Scholars tried to incorporate a life lesson throughout the day. Respect and bullying in schools was the core and the main theme of the event. For the primary levels, the children’s book, Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon was read to the youngsters as this book explored the uniqueness of a child. In the afternoon, the older students were involved in large group discussions and made, “Who I am” posters. At the end of the day, parents and students appreciated the effort of the team.  A very special thank you to Longfellow’s Principal Mr. Christensen, as he was a valuable asset to the event. We could not have done it without him!

2012 Tillman Scholars-ASU: (front row) Dorian Sanchez, Scott Bohmke, Monica Burba, Betsy Donahue; (back row) Chip Sarafin, Mark Sackley, Allie Oaks, Jenna Smith, Alex Zabaski, Connor Udasco and Gopi Karunamoorthy.

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