Please go to the comments sections to add any thoughts you have about the weekend's events. Class member, non-class member, runner, non-runner...it doesn't matter. You can help memorialize the weekend for the class and for the families by speaking your mind. Feel free to remain anonymous if that makes you more comfortable expressing yourself, though names would be great too.
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8 comments:
It was an honor and a privilege to run aside classmates and friends in honor of our six heroes.
Col. Ripley's words about our obligations to our fallen classmates as we live our lives struck a cord with me...how we MUST live up to their examples and high standards in all things.
It is too early to tell how we will make celebrations like this a recurring part of our class activities, but I know with certainty that it will happen.
As I told Dave and Jeff, this weekend was an absolute blessing not only for me, but especially for Ashley. She was able to hear about her father, relive memories of him and see first hand what an amazing community her father was a part of. When I was unpacking the car after we got home Sunday afternoon, Ashley came outside to me and just broke down in tears. For the first time she can probably remember, she got a *real* sense of who her father was, who his friends were, what he meant to so many, the depth of her loss, and how blessed she is to be his daughter. Thanks to all of you, she now knows her father in a way I couldn't pass onto her alone. I am forever grateful to all of you for making this a weekend neither she nor I will ever forget!! --Jeanine Pugh
to all of the class of '95. you all have class. i was so proud of everything you did for the run and all you have done. when you lose a child there are very few good days, this was my second one in two years. thank you for the beautiful day and for being erik's classmates.
sam kristensen
Of all the inspiring moments of the past weekend, including seeing so many '95 classmates come together with family and friends to honor our fallen heroes, the thing that I will never forget was out on the course itself. Throughout a very long and slow run, I was inspired by the incredible number of people that would read the back of our shirts and then either ask about their stories, or comment on how they already knew their story. So many said to me, "Lion of Fallujah, helluva Man and Marine." Or they would tell me how they knew Megan, or how they had heard of Erik. Others simply shouted, "Go '95, great job." And on the final mile, a woman jogged with me as she told me about going to high school with Brendan Duffy. What an amazing tribute to these 6, to see the Run To Honor signs line the course throughout the day, and to hear their story being told throughout 26.2 miles. And to give Dr. McClung that high-five at the finish line, and to see all the families at the post-race tent...no words can ever describe that. As we said at the dinner, the Class of '95 stands together with the Zembiec, McClung, Kristensen, Pugh, Donald, and Duffy families...now and always.
This was the first time since we have all graduated that I can say that I was truely honored to be part of the Class of 1995.
Most telling was the greater than 10% of our class participating in the marathon and countless others there to support.
Huge thanks go to Dave Richardson and Jeff Webb for making it all happen and to the overwhelming support of the families of our lost classmates.
Impressive. Very impressive. The organizers, the runners, the supporters, the families, everything. Thank you all for being awesome classmates and reflecting pride upon USNA. I was there in spirit getting the split times texted to me, watching the CNN video in a wardroom full of USN and USMC pilots who all had some sort of connection to our fallen hero classmates. God Bless '95.
Check out the great pictures from the event:
http://androsphotography.smugmug.com/
click on the "Event Galleries" link
Thanks to the photographers
95....
do your exercises to prevent shin splints.....that was the thought I had at about mile 25.
not having had an opportunity for the 5 or 10 year timeframe, this was as much a reunion for me as it was a remembrance. thanks to daves and jeff for working the beginnings and everyone else for all the trimmings. wish we had another week to sit around (stretching) and talk about our most honorable and self-sacrificing classmates.
in addition to perhaps running a bit more, I'm resolved to stay more in touch with you all. the home in germany is open if you can make the trip out...
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