MFF Tough Ruckers Honored as Heroes of Boston at Challenged Athletes Foundation Gala
NEW YORK CITY – 12 June 2013 | Three Tough Ruck Army National Guard Soldiers from Boston traveled to New York City this Wednesday to be honored as Heroes of Boston at the Challenged Athletes Foundation Heroes Heart and Hope gala. 1LT Stephen Fiola, 1SG Bernard Madore, and SSG Mark Welch were all called up on stage to be recognized for their heroic acts on the day of the Boston Marathon Bombings, just two months ago.
On April 15, 2013, the Tough Ruck began at 5:30 AM when 20 Soldiers came together at the starting line of the Boston Marathon to begin their march in honor of their Massachusetts fallen comrades, benefitting the Military Friends Foundation – a nonprofit serving Massachusetts military families and families of the Fallen. The Soldiers rucked the whole 26.2 miles in full combat gear, and waiting to greet them at the finish line after a long and painful eight hours was Carlos Arrendondo, as one of the fallen they were marching in honor of was his son, LCPL Alexander Arrendondo.
Moments after the last Rucker crossed the finish line, the first bomb went off, the Soldiers went into action. 1LT Stephen Fiola and 1SG Bernard Madore rushed to remove a fence that had fallen on several victims. SSG Mark Welch assisted with victims trapped in the bleachers, and Carlos Arrendondo jumped the barricades and helped save the life of double amputee Jeff Bauman.
The Tough Ruckers can undoubtedly be expected to be rucking again at the 2014 Boston Marathon, with an even bigger group. They will not let this past year’s tragedy prevent them from marching in honor of their fallen comrades, who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan or from suicide and PTSD-related accidents.
Before returning home to Boston, the Tough Ruckers will spend a commemorative morning at the 9/11 Memorial, which will truly make this trip one to remember.
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.
For more information on Tough Ruck and their mission, please visit www.ToughRuck.org or e-mail at ToughRuck@militaryfriends.org.
