Yesterday I was at Fenway Park, however this time it was not to see a baseball game. I participated in the 3rd Annual Run Walk to Home Base hosted by the Red Sox Foundation. The event is either a 9K run or a 5K walk. I initially planned on running the event, however due to some training injuries and a nagging cough, I ended up doing the 5K walk instead.
No matter which event you choose, it was an amazing experience. I went to Fenway last May to watch the event and was just overwhelmed by it all and swore I would participate in it in 2012. The Run to Home Base Program raises money and awareness for veterans coming back from war with traumatic brain injury, mental illness and PTSD. The program is sponsored by the Red Sox Foundation and the Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program. I can’t say enough about the good work this organization is doing. The Veterans are serving their country and we need to make sure that we serve them when they return from service, in all aspects.
During the opening ceremonies, there was a testimonial from Veteran Tim Walsh. He served in Desert Storm and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Upon returning from war, he ended up having some problems with alcohol and was arrested as a result. He spoke about the great assistance from the Home Base Program with counseling for him and his family. He also spoke about how they help the family and friends of those who have lost loved ones to war. He said that he owed a debt to the Home Base Program and is hoping to pay that back through the awareness he is bringing to the issue. I thought Tim’s comments were so powerful since it put a name, a face and a story on the issue we were walking or running for that day. While I appreciate that Tim wants to give back, I would say that it is all of us who owe him a debt. It is for stories like this that I will always participate in this event. He brought tears to me eyes.
The day could not have been more beautiful for an event. It was bright and sunny and maybe even a little hot. As I was walking, I also got to cheer on the runners who were heading back in the other direction. We ended up being passed by a runner who had “This is What Brain Injury Looks Like” on her back. We also were passed by numerous members of the military. In total, the event raised over 2 million dollars at the event. That is a tremendous amount of money for a one time event. In the 3 years, Run to Home Base has raised over 10 million dollars. I played a small part in that. I raised $1240.00 for the event. I thank everyone who donated to the event. It is money that is going to a great cause.
Here are a few pictures I took from the event after the break:
Run to Home Base Icon on the Fenway Jumbotron
Tim Walsh- Veteran. Speaking to the crowd during the Opening Ceremony.
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