Press Release

Team Operation Homefront Runs for a Reason at the Air Force Marathon

9/13/2012

The national nonprofit raises funds as they run in support of military

DAYTON, OH – Operation Homefront, the national nonprofit providing emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and Wounded Warriors, will have their Team Operation Homefront running in this year’s Air Force Marathon on September 15th in Dayton, OH.

Team Operation Homefront is an endurance training and fundraising program for Operation Homefront. Members of the team are raising funds while training for several military based races (Air Force Marathon and Half Marathon, Army Ten Miler, and the Marine Corps Marathon and 10K). Funds raised by all Team members support Operation Homefront's transitional housing program for Wounded Warriors - Operation Homefront Villages.

More than one hundred runners have joined Team Operation Homefront, and they have raised over $70,000 for the cause. This team isn’t just running for our faceless heroes either. They will be running in honor of three brave families currently residing in one of the Operation Homefront Villages based in Bethesda, MD, San Antonio, TX, and San Diego, CA. These Villages provide transitional rent free housing for our troops who often struggle during the transition back to civilian life, especially when they return suffering from injuries of war.

The 2012 Honorees are Sgt. Johnny Jones, Sgt. Ken Patterson, and GySgt. David Marino. After losing both of his legs during an IED explosion on his second deployment to the Middle East, Sgt. Jones is now recovering and walking on two prosthetic legs. Sgt. Patterson follows a similar story, losing both of his legs as the result of a rocket propelled grenade attack on his helicopter during his deployment in Afghanistan. Then like so many other troops returning home, GySgt. Marino developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to his Traumatic Brain Injury from an IED explosion while he was trying to evacuate wounded Marines in Iraq, but then had to battle for his life facing cancer once he returned. The Operation Homefront Villages are allowing these troops time to recover alongside their families, while being close to the medical treatment they need, and are providing them with a foundation to build the rest of their lives on.

“These races mean a lot to our organization,” said Jim Knotts, President and CEO of Operation Homefront. “It is amazing to see all of the support that we are getting from the people who donate and want to run in honor of these brave men and women. The more people we can get involved in these events, the more airmen we can help back on the homefront.”

For more information on how to get involved, find the Operation Homefront booth at the finish line on race day. Additional information can also be found at www.OperationHomefront.net.