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What a day. A very early day! Several of our tough Team Marine Parents participants climbed out of those EVIL warm beds and braved the cold dark morning to be interviewed by Fox 11's Good Day Wisconsin show. With everyone looking sharp in their Team Marine Parents t-shirts, we had the opportunity to explain what Team Marine Parents is and what we do. This team of sixteen participants raised over $3500 for Marine Parents Care Package project. Several more Marine Parents members joined us for the 2 mile walk/4 mile run as well. We represented 4 different states. (WI, MI, IL, MN). We were proud to be able to support the Jerabek family, honor our active duty military, veterans and support our Care Package Project while connecting with one another and having fun!
View footage of the 2008 Jerabek Memorial Challenge at the bottom of the page..
The atmosphere in the park was electric. Music played as folks enjoyed the decked out vehicles with custom paint jobs. There was a semi truck honoring Vietnam Veterans, race car honoring the fallen, a Marine Corps pace vehicle, a hot little red convertible with the USMC emblem on it, a recruiting humvee and of course all the Rolling Thunder motorcycles.
There were lots of Marines & poolees running in formation. It's always wonderful to hear those stomping boots and deep voices calling cadence. Skydivers dropped into the park as the national anthem was sung at the start of the race.
Gold Star father Ken Jerabek was at the finish line to congratulate each finisher and the challenge volunteers did an awesome job of keeping the participants happy and comfortable. They actually hand out cool wet towels at the end to provide a little refreshment. What a nice touch and very much appreciated by the runners and walkers alike! The post race snacks were awesome. Fresh fruit, muffins, bagels and ice cream!!
Our team grabbed some snacks and took up a pretty good sized spot in the bleachers. I don't think there was a dry eye around as the Gold Star families in attendance introduced themselves. It was very emotional as the crowd stood when they played Billy Ray Cyrus's "Some Gave All". By this time, it was sunny with a beautiful blue sky and the Patriot Guard Riders stood with their flags waving in the comfortable breeze. Peaceful....solemn...and yet a very heavy moment as you realize that on this beautiful day there are so many families with a huge hole in their lives, a missing piece from a family that will never be replaced. It is so important for us to remember these sacrifices.
Winners of each age group were congratulated by the Jerabek family and awarded a very special medal with a quote from Pfc. Ryan Jerabek.
We had a break between events, so a few of us went to visit the Green Bay Packers training camp. Local kids ride their bikes to the stadium, then the players select a bike to ride to the practice field across the street and they sign autographs for the fans waiting there. It is a huge thrill for the kids to be able to carry helmets/gloves & gear for their favorite players and so amusing to see the larger than life players up close in full gear on the dwarfed bikes. The players are HUGE! We also met the Nestle Quick bunny.
At the conclusion of the day we had a potluck picnic, along with the Jerabek Memorial Challenge volunteers. The potluck dishes were incredible and the grill master did a fantastic job cooking up hamburgers and brats for this hungry crew. Gold Star mom Rita Jerabek was enjoying watching her boys and their friends playing volleyball while enjoying pie and coffee. She said, "This was a nice way to let the day slip away". I couldn't agree more. Our Marine families had a wonderful opportunity to connect and share with one another. Our member Rev. Ron Beabout said a prayer prior to everyone departing. We gave thanks for the day, the food, the fellowship and for our servicemen and women who so unselfishly volunteer their time and their lives in service to our country. With that, we parted ways with full tummies and happy souls, and a commitment to do it again next year. We hope you will join us on August 8, 2009 for the 4th Annual Jerabek Memorial Challenge.
