My brother, Joe, is running in the Marine Corps Marathon today in support of the Folds of Honor Foundation.
The Folds of Honor Foundation Marathon program is powered by PGA Professionals, like Joe, from around the country who raise money to fund scholarships for dependents and spouses of service members that have been killed or disabled as a result of their military service.
Here’s the powerful story of why the Folds of Honor Foundation was started:
As the plane landed, the pilot spoke. “We have the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin on board, and his brother Corporal Brad Bucklin has accompanied him home from Iraq. As a sign of respect, please remain seated while we honor Corporal Bucklin and his sacrifice,” the pilot requested over the intercom.
Dan Rooney, a passenger on the flight, watched through the plane window as the flag-covered casket was removed from the rear cargo-hold. He saw Bucklin’s family meet the procession with tears streaming down their cheeks. And he choked back emotion when he saw the soldier’s young son clutching at his mother’s leg.
This is any serviceman’s worst nightmare, thought Rooney. An F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, Major Rooney had served two tours in Iraq. And while he had experienced the harsh reality on the frontlines, he had never witnessed the devastating reality back home.
As Major Rooney attempted to regain his composure, he finally turned back to the plane. It was then he noticed that half of the passengers had ignored the pilot’s request and had already de-boarded. That moment changed Major Rooney’s life forever.
When the paths of Corporal Bucklin and Major Rooney crossed on that fateful flight, Rooney vowed to make a difference. Though he couldn’t change the fate of a fallen soldier, he could change the future of a grieving widow or a fatherless child.
Major Rooney set out to prove to America’s heroes – our military personnel – that their sacrifices would never go unappreciated or unrewarded. From that sincere and simple wish, a foundation was born. Folds of Honor hopes to ensure that families of the fallen must never endure alone.
Joe represents the people on the airplane that did not de-board early that day. He is an amazing example, athlete, and friend. I am unbelievably proud of him for going the distance for such a worthy foundation and for “giving back,” as he says, “to the families of the bravest people on the planet!”
