I first met JT over Memorial Day weekend in 2005 at the former Australian Pub in Pacific Beach where a bunch of us had gathered to say goodbye to a friend who was moving to the land down under. While JT & I ran in the same circle of friends, we had never been formally introduced. It’s funny to reflect back because he definitely was the “one” that caught my attention when I walked into the party. JT’s striking looks melted the hearts of many gals but for me, it really was his down to earth, humble personality despite his kick ass accomplishments as an athlete and a soldier that got my heart fluttering. Coach McCarey quickly started working his matchmaker magic even though my situation of being in the midst of a hurtful divorce didn’t lend to being ready for such. Nonetheless, JT & I developed a friendship bond that night, one that’ll remain in my heart forever.
A few weeks after we met, JT was hit with bad news that some of his Seal brothers had been involved in a confrontation with the Taliban both on ground and air in a mountainous area near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Four Navy Seals on ground, including JT’s friend Marcus Lutrell, as well as 8 Navy Seals on a rescue chopper were involved in what, until August 6, 2011, had been the largest loss of life in American Navy Seal history. Miraculously, despite being presumed dead, his friend Marcus was later discovered alive after he had eluded the Taliban hunters by killing a sniper and eventually being sheltered and nurtured back to health in a Afghanistan village. During this time, JT flew out to be with Marcus’s family in Texas. Marcus has since published a book, Lone Survivor, and a movie is in the makes about his and his fallen teammates experience with Operation Redwing. In addition, since retiring from the Navy, Marcus created the Lone Survivor Foundation, whose mission is to restore, empower, and renew hope for wounded soldiers and their families through health, wellness, and therapeutic activities.
Could JT be a lone survivor too? While I knew this to be impossible with the nature of the events, I couldn’t help but to think otherwise; must have been my denial state but it helped cope with the magnitude of loss. In San Diego, the running community that JT was so actively a part of hosted a memorial run at Mission Bay and shared stories they cherished about our local hero. A memorial was also set up at Shakespeares Pub, a popular meeting spot for runners. While a large number were dedicating a few miles to JT at his memorial run, I was in Chicago dedicating my race at Chicago Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon to him and his fallen comrades. The emotions, the energy I felt from that race was unlike I have ever experienced and I know it helped carry me to my fastest 13.1 finish ever.
It felt good to run in JT’s honor but I wanted to do more which is when I stumbled upon a contest that Bank of America was hosting in coordination with the Chicago Marathon, a Let’s Run Together charity relay honoring charities making a difference locally, nationally, and globally. With 250 words, as seen below, I shared JT’s story with hopes that Bank of America would honor it as it deserves to be honored and provide a worthy $5000 donation to Got Your Back Network, a charity my friend Andy Baldwin developed as means to help families of fallen soldiers through special events and organizations. When I received word that the essay I had written about JT was chosen a winner, I was ecstatic. Not only would I be receiving $5000 compliments of Bank of America for Got Your Back Network but on behalf of GYBN, I'd be able to donate the funds to JT’s Frogmen238 memorial fund to help his family build a memorial statue in his hometown of Rockford, Iowa as well as launch an annual road race to help raise funds for families of other fallen soldiers. Icing on the cake was that I was going to have to opportunity to run in JT's honor alongside 12 other charity runners and US Women’s soccer superstars Alex Morgan, Hope Solo, and Abby Wambach at the Chicago Marathon, a race I knew JT always had wanted to run.
The winning essay:
I'm currently chasing after a dream of qualifying for the US Women’s Marathon Olympic Trials but my mission as a runner recently became much bigger. On August 6th, I lost my friend and fellow runner, Jon "JT" Tumilson, when a rocket shot down the helicopter he was traveling on with 30 other brave soldiers to rescue some Army Rangers who had come under fire in Afghanistan. JT was a highly decorated Navy Seal who had actively fought the war on terrorism with multiple deployments since 9/11. He made the ultimate sacrifice for the better of our country. My heart truly breaks for all the friends & families involved in this tragedy.
JT always went big, never complained, whether being called upon as a soldier or out pushing the pace in a workout. He inspired me in more ways than I think he even knew. JT loved the marathon distance (has an impressive 3:13 PR) & know he will be proud watching all the runners in Chicago conquer 26.2. It would be awesome to run in his honor & the funds would no doubt help his family achieve their dream of creating a Memorial statue in his hometown of Rockford, Iowa, as well as starting an annual Memorial Run in his honor next year. Got Your Back Network is dedicated to providing services to families of fallen soldiers, like JT's, and was created by my good friend Andy Baldwin, a Navy Physician.
Thank you for your consideration. God Bless America.
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