Local Soldiers To Honor The Fallen With Boston Marathon “Tough Ruck” March
HOPKINGTON – On Marathon Monday, a group of local Soldiers will gather at the Boston Marathon start line at dawn to march in honor of Massachusetts fallen heroes. The group will be doing a 26.2 mile “Tough Ruck” march in military uniforms and carrying their ruck sacks which can weigh up to 45 pounds. “Tough Ruck” leader First Lieutenant Steve Fiola of Fitchburg, a Massachusetts Army National Guardmember, and his Soldiers are raising money to support families of fallen heroes through the Military Friends Foundation.
“This partnership that we are starting with Military Friends is extremely exciting. To be able to work with these amazing people who are so dedicated to helping the families of our lost brothers and sisters from the Commonwealth is wonderful. This will be my fifth time doing this course and the support that we receive while on the historically challenging 26.2 miles is inspiring. Working with Military Friends will allow us to give back to those families who also inspire us with their courage and strength. 26.2 miles won’t bring our friends and comrades back, if it could we would walk around the world a hundred times over, but since it won’t this is a great place to start,” said 1LT Steve Fiola.
All active duty military are welcome take part in the “Tough Ruck” and can register by visiting www.militaryfriends.org/tough-ruck.
The Military Friends Foundation proudly administers the Massachusetts Military Family Relief Fund – Question 32E on the Mass. State Tax Form – which was created by the state legislature to recognize the unique contributions and sacrifices made by military families after September 11, 2001. “This is a simple and easy way that taxpayers can directly support military families in their own backyard,” said SGM Jim Kelly (Ret.), Military Friends President & Iraq Combat Veteran. Through generous donations, Military Friends has provided nearly $1 million in grants and services to Massachusetts military families and families of the fallen. For more information on Military Friends Foundation, please visit www.militaryfriends.org or call (617) 733-7994.
