Freedom Through Sport

Freedom! I can hardly believe it; Ironman Michigan 70.3 is on my street, September 12th. The race of my dreams is finally about to take place. I have been doing Half Ironmans and an Ironman for the past 8 years as therapy. Allow me to introduce myself, PFC Gerald Jennex' 01-'05, 3rd Battalion 1st Marines Infantryman. I served with some of the best and finest Men of our Generation, shaped and molded generations that followed.

Many times I am asked what a triathlon is and what it means to me; I first respond with the answer of Freedom. I am reminded of my Brother Ailes, who requested soccer balls and 10 dollar bills to the Iraqi children, for the same reason. Freedom. I wear his Memorial band on my wrist as I race. I keep in step with my Brother Norwood, who I hold on my other wrist. He was a senior Marine, who taught me the importance of discipline and showing up to be accountable to the self. He taught me Self-control was the ultimate Freedom. I choose to Honor them, I will tell people, with every breath and step. They gave me this Freedom.

I think about the distance of swimming 1.2 Miles, how important it is to breathe for a person with or diagnosed with PTSD. Breath brings blood flow to the brain. That blood flow allows us to have more capacity for thought. I use this technique while swimming, connecting my mind and body as if a meditation for mindfulness. 

Next, after the swim, we get into a 56-mile bike. On the bike, it usually will take about 3 hours or more to complete. On this, I am reminded of focusing my energy into a pattern, many Military minds know as cadence. With Cadence, I am activating my left and right bilateral movement. It is allowing me to focus on some deep issues and process new feelings and emotions if I let them. Trust me, I have spent many an emotional mile getting through some of the thoughts that drive at me on a long bike ride. Yet, with the bilateral movement and the breath, I have been able to draw a deeper understanding of myself and my emotions…along with many of my triggers, other than getting Hangery. LOL. 

Food consumption is a must at this point. I use an energy drink mix with more carbs, sodium, and some proteins for the longer rides. Lots of water too. I start to prepare myself for the 13.1-mile run. The Half Marathon is what takes a lot of guts. It can be one of the hardest parts if you don't prepare your body with the fuel, prior on the bike. I like to be ready for the run so I can use course nutrition, though, with this race, it will be something I have never tried. So I have to do a traditional energy gel…This requires lots of water. The reason hydration on the bike is so important. 

On the Run, this is where I display my heart for my Brothers and why I work so hard at understanding the process of Healing through Triathlon and my other therapies. I see running as a gift of Freedom; I remember running with my Brothers. I remember the laughter and pain we worked through. It's a gift to be able to remember those times. It's a gift to be able to Honor them with my steps. To say that they have helped me grow into the Man I am today is an understatement. They have been with me the whole way. It's a lot more than just running; it's a way to show who they are to me. The Men that gave their lives for you and me to be free. Freedom. It truly is a gift. 

Written by: PFC Gerald Jennex' 01-'05, 3rd Battalion 1st Marines Infantryman

America's Little Helpers Soft Launch

We are so pleased to announce the soft launch of the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes' newest program, aimed at assisting children of wounded veterans, injured in the global war on terror- 

America's Little Helpers (ALH).

Last month America's Little Helpers hosted 3 events with a total of 42 children ages 3-24! This groundbreaking program is geared towards helping America's youngest of heroes cope, adjust, and aspire. In the development phase, we are already offering children and young adults opportunities to find friendship, support, and encouragement.

At the (Virtual) Soft Launch, there were games... 

A Scavenger Hunt where everyone scattered lightning fast to gather items around their home! 

The oldest children & young adults tested their knowledge in an engaging game of Trivia!

Smiles were contagious, laughter was abounding, and best of all, these brave kiddos had an hour focused on them!

We had some super cool prizes to give away too! We'd say these kiddos were pretty happy with their winnings!

A little more about America's Little Helpers: 

Mission Statement: To provide an inclusive program for children of post 9/11 wounded veterans. By addressing the unique needs of these children, we aim to boost strength & resiliency in our nation’s future leaders through peer enrichment, parent support, and partnering with like-minded organizations.

Our goal is to provide these brave kids with outlets such as in-person and online education support, virtual and in-person art therapy, day camps, and multi-day retreats. The strongest form of support for these kids is creating opportunities for them to bond and form relationships with other children of wounded veteran families.

To learn more & stay up-to-date with America's Little Helpers program development, go here: https://saluteheroes.org/americas-little-helpers/

Embers Starting Wildfires

My brothers and sisters who served in Afghanistan I want to say this to you. I served in Iraq as infantry. You did your job with honor and loyalty to the mission. You freed a nation and for 2 decades you brought a taste of freedom to men, women, children. You gave little girls the right to go to school and flower into powerhouses. Because of you Afghanistan still has a woman mayor who is standing tall against the Taliban saying "Come and take it" with all the fire that you instilled in her.

SHE is your legacy. Her and others like her. That fire you lit will burn. A people once tasting freedom will remember it. It may be embers for a generation but it will remain on their tongue until they are ready to cast those chains off themselves. Politicians will always fail. Theirs. Ours. We did the mission. We bled, we fought. Some of us gave the last full measure.

We will honor them. We honor them because their fighting spirit is now in that dirt that has been the graveyard of empires. Empires yes but not of a Republic. Not of America. It now knows our fighting spirit and that blood will burn hot and only grows hotter with time. Maybe one day it will blossom into freedom and they will throw off the chains themselves. Maybe they will leave and carry that fight elsewhere to build shelters for refugees of wars.

You gave them a chance. You held the line, pushed back the darkness, and showed them the light. You fought the demons at the door and took the wounds for them. It is a deep pain to watch so much lost in so short of a time but the fire has been lit. It burns down low but it burns. 

Pray for those there. Pray for those who fight against that night and pray for those families who have sent and continue to send their warriors to the field of battle to fight for those who cannot or will not. We are the warriors. We do not fail. 

God bless you all my brothers and sisters and may the Lord keep those who are fleeing tonight. May those who were sent in, a scarce handful of warriors against a nation of insurgents, come home safely with their precious cargo.

Written by Jim Batchelor, U.S. Army (Ret.)