** Coming Home **

It was after 11 p.m. when he turned the corner at the intersection of Chambers Street and Broadway. Nels’ journey had begun 46 days earlier at 3:02 a.m. on September 8th, 2024 from the steps of City Hall in San Francisco. Nels’ final destination? The top of the steps at New York City Hall, and they were finally seconds away. As we watched him run towards us, the welcoming committee cheered!! “There he is!”. “I see him!”. “He’s coming!” “Go, Nels!!!”. This was HIS moment, and those who accompanied him on his final miles, those who crewed and documented his journey, his parents and other cheerleaders, and the woman who has been by his side for 20 years, Denise, stood back to witness what Nels set out to do. In his arms, he carried my brother’s boots with him. Triumphant, the transcontinental trek across the United States was complete!

This was not an easy thing to do. According to what I found on a google search, less than 400 people have attempted to run across America. More people have tried and summited Mt. Everest – 30 times more! What is the point in the comparison? It’s important to acknowledge the difficulty because of the ‘why’ that drove Nels, in spite of the pain and sleep deprivation, to finish his run.

_{Seconds from the steps of New York City Hall}

Let me start at the beginning. I was born into a military family. My brothers and I were those little children, with tears streaming down our faces, who stood with our mom at the airport and watched our father leave. Just as a CEO of any corporation dictates the direction of their firm, the government (elected by citizens of the United States) serve in this role for the American military. They sent my father to Vietnam before and after I was born. Decades later, my brother, Chris, was sent on numerous deployments. 

Just as you, the reader, have a unique story, so does every man or woman who makes the choice to join the military. My brother’s story is only special to those who were lucky (or, as my mom would say “blessed”) enough to know him. It was his written last request that beckons every United States citizen to become a part of his legacy – to allow his life of service to continue – and be a part of his story.

Chris was a little guy who had a way about him that drew people to him. Some might call it charisma. He was just… happy. With everything he tried, possibly because he was on the smaller side, he gave it his all, and he did well! He was never “that” jock; he wasn’t arrogant, rude, or demeaning. If someone was struggling, he would hang back to encourage them. He learned to swim and surf. He loved running, cycling, football and baseball. Being a professional baseball player was a dream that caused him great sadness when it slipped away. He went on to join the Navy and because of unrelenting commitment became a top tier operator in the special operations community.

I never thought Chris would die. He received the best training the military offered. He was also almost 5 years younger than me, and well, dying “out of order” wasn’t conceivable! I always thought some of the things Chris would say or write were comical when various relational developments occurred in both our lives. There was comfort knowing Chris had my back. If all else failed, when we entered our “golden years”, we would live in a house big enough for the both of us with a front porch and rockers where we would watch the sun set, the stars twinkle and listen to the sound of cicadas in the summer. We would always be siblings who would be there for one another. Life didn’t work out that way. 

On August 6th, 2011, my brother was killed in Afghanistan. It rocked me to my core. I had one meltdown episode that occurred spontaneously when I spoke with my mom and heard her trembling voice confirm the worst news our family had ever received. I checked myself and refused to let that happen again. There were several services to attend, and I remember looking up and seeing people’s eyes on me. My grief was not for onlookers to witness, and I did my best to conceal all emotion. It was my brother’s last request that allowed me to stay focused. He hoped 100,000 people would donate to Wounded Warrior [Project].

I didn’t… I couldn’t sleep for a really long time after Chris died. Late at night I would reread his emails, cards, letters and postcards that he sent to me; I have shared several on this blog. When you read through years of correspondence at one time, changes are evident. The last couple years of Chris’ life he was struggling. This became apparent at the end of 2009, and for the first time in our lives, he became angry with me. This was completely out of character for the one person in my life I had come to count on as my cheerleader, confidant and protector. I was devastated! We were visiting our parents, and as I was packing to leave Chris came to see me to apologize. The tears streamed down my face as he shared his thoughts. I realized that this man, my brother, had passed the threshold of being able to compartmentalize, yet he was unable to reach out for help. 

There are dire consequences when politicians make decisions to send a mother’s son, a daughter’s dad, a sister’s brother to war. Coming home is difficult! I believe with all my heart this is why Chris left such a massive death-defying wish for American citizens, regardless of gender, race, or politicial affiliation. His unspoken request was that we rally to support and inspire our nation’s veterans after their military service ends. Seeing Nels run towards me, on his way to the steps of New York City Hall, carrying my brother’s boots was a remarkable moment. Taking Chris’ boots on this transcontinental run provided a visible display of the sacrifice that comes from a life of service to one’s country. Having met many veterans who have been able to lean on Wounded Warrior Project, when they needed it most, has given life to my brother’s final wish. Chris’ request, like the logo of Wounded Warrior Project, is a living legacy and has carried me through my grief. 

Nels completed his run across the United States (from “sea to shining sea”), and he was supported by a remarkable group of selfless people. On this epic cross-country trip, Nels and his team had the privilege to connect with so many amazing Americans to share my brother’s story and his request. Chris’ WHY became Nels’ WHY and now I am asking you to help us complete Nels’ goal. What is that? Nels ran 3,067 miles and with your help wants to raise $306,700 for Wounded Warrior Project. We are so thankful to those who have contributed!! Approximately $36K has been donated thus far. We have a long way to go and are passing the baton to you, your family, friends and colleagues to ask for your assistance to make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families. 

If you are able, I humbly ask for your company on the final leg of this trek as the calendar moves forward to Veteran’s Day, which is Monday, November 11, 2024. Any amount donated will move us closer to the finish line to fund life-changing programs and services offered to veterans. Coming home from war deployments can be a difficult journey! Wounded Warrior Project exists “to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history”. Thank you for considering being a part of our epic effort to support our nation’s veterans who come home to their familes! You can make your secure, tax-deductible donation to Wounded Warrior Project at T4N1.org today.