77-90

RICE, SARGENT GRANT

RICHINS, OTHELLO D

ROPER, HUGH RAWLIN

RUST, GEORGE NELSON

SECOR, ARTHUR E

SEELY, MAX M

SHARP, IVAN PAUL

SHELLEY, DAVID EDWARD

SIMMONS, GERALD L

SKOUSEN, MURR

SMITH, HEBER JOSEPH

SMITH, PAUL HONE

SMITH, VICTOR E

SMITH, WENDELL OLSEN

     I ran 8 of these names last week, and the other 6 today. It's a great feeling to look at the mile counter and see such a high number. Honestly, I knew I would be able to do it, but it's so exciting to see this plan actually work. I know I'm still not even halfway, and sometimes think that I've bitten off more than I can chew....but then I think about the lives of these men. I think about their names and their service. It makes me want to dig deep and finish what I've started.

Provo has had a lot of snow and low temperatures for the past few weeks. Add that to me getting pretty sick for a few days and it was hard for me to find the time or motivation. But honestly, I'm running more consistently in the winter months than I ever have. Usually I use the winter to take a break from running and hibernate, but these guys are keeping me at it. Why? I feel an obligation, a debt to them. They're my brothers. They're my heroes. I can't let them down. We have so much in common. 

     They all went to BYU to gain an education. They came to be around people with their same beliefs. They came to play sports. They came to meet girls. They were associated with this school for most of the same reasons why I came here. A lot of these guys didn't graduate. They gave up their futures and comfort to serve their country. I don't want to get into the politics of the draft, but whatever their stance on the war, I know that they did far more than they had to. I can't imagine leaving home to face enemy fire in another country. Their experience is so incredible that I feel compelled to learn more about them, to honor them, and to share their stories.

       The next post is going to be a profile of just one of these men. I feel bad lumping all of these names together and want to be able to highlight specific individuals. His experience isn't unique, but it was still an individual sacrifice. I ran a mile for him, but he gave his life for me.