Veteran's Day Weekend Festivities at the Santa Barbara Marathon

My uncle, Ron Fultz, US Navy

I received an email last week with all the details about this week's Santa Barbara Marathon.  The city of Santa Barbara has several Veteran's Day Weekend activities planned ~ starting with the marathon!  Check out all this cool stuff:

• A Color Guard and fly over of WWII war planes, along with a live rendition of Reveille and “Charge,” will kick off both the full and half-marathons.
• Flags held by both veterans and active duty personnel will line the final mile of the course, the SBIM Veteran’s Memorial Mile Finish.
• An authentic World War II Jeep will escort Marathon runners.
• During the awards ceremony, the Color Guard will present the Wounded Warrior awards.
• Official marathon runners’ shirts will have the words, “The first 25 miles are for me, the last mile is for veterans.”

My great uncle, Euel Gannaway, WWII

Can you imagine standing at the Start line and hearing Reveille, then shouting "Charge!" before taking off?  And that last mile - just reading out it brought tears to my eyes.  I have such admiration and respect for our service men and women.  They do so much with so little in return.  That may be my slowest mile, I'll want to salute and shake everyone's hand!!

My great uncle, Lewis Gannaway, WWII

Also, joining the marathon for the first time will be the 25-member National Guard Team of Elite Runners, led by Michael Hagen, SFC as the NGB marathon coordinator. They hail from 10 states (PA, WI, MA, IL, WA, OH, UT, MD, ND, and NE).

My father-in-law, Bill McElhaney, US Navy 1953

My father-in-law, still able to wear his uniform more than 50 years later!

As you can see, my family has a few veterans.  I'm proud to be part of a day that honors them!