Pat's Run 2009

In April, IAVA participated in Pat’s Run 2009 to honor the life and legacy of fallen hero Pat Tillman.  Over 150 IAVA Members joined 23,000 supporters for the 4.2 mile races in Pat's native San Jose, CA and Tempe, Arizona where he played football for Arizona State University. On May 16th, dozens of U.S. troops also ran the 4.2 mile race in honor of their fallen comrade in a "shadow" Pat's Run around Forward Operating Base Gardez in Afghanistan.

• Watch the short video below, and click here to buy your official Pat's Run-Team IAVA t-shirt! [1] All proceeds will benefit the Tillman Foundation which fosters leadership initiatives for youth.

On April 18th, IAVA participated in Pat’s Run 2009 to honor the life and legacy of fallen hero Pat Tillman.  Over 80 IAVA Members joined 20,000 supporters for the 4.2 mile race in Tempe, Arizona where Pat played football for Arizona State University.  A week later on April 25th, 60 IAVA Members joined another 3,000 supporters in Pat's native San Jose, California to run the 4.2 mile race with Pat's family and fellow Army Rangers.

Click here to purchase your own official Pat's Run-Team IAVA t-shirt for $35. All proceeds benefit the Tillman Foundation. [1]

 

 

MORE FROM THE GROUND

• VIDEO: IAVA Member Veteran Cara Hammer was interviewed after the race. [2]
• PHOTOS: Team IAVA in action. [3]
• MEDIA: Read an editorial from IAVA's Executive Director, honoring the legacy of Pat Tillman [4].
• LEARN: Get more information on Pat Tillman [5].
• SUPPORT: Buy your own official Pat's Run-Team IAVA t-shirt to benefit the Tillman Foundation. [1]

 

Team IAVA participants like Iraq veteran and Arizona native Cara Hammer met with local media after the race to talk about Pat's legacy of leadership and how they are helping fellow Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with the transition home.  Watch this interview with Cara on KTVK's "Good Morning, Arizona."

"As a fellow veteran, Sun Devil alum, and football fan, Pat's Run is something I look forward to all year," said IAVA Spokeswoman Cara Hammer.  "I have a deep admiration for Pat Tillman and the leadership he demonstrated.  It is with great honor that I run to celebrate the life and legacy of a true American hero."

Pictures

At the races in Tempe, San Jose and Afghanistan, veterans and supporters from across the country represented Team IAVA by donning grey shirts emblazoned with #42 - Pat's college football number.  Some ran the 4.2-mile race in military formation carrying an American flag.

 

Press Coverage

• Read an editorial [6] in the Arizona Republic by IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff honoring the leadership and sacrifice of Pat Tillman.
• Check-out this article [7] in the San Jose Mercury News featuring interviews with Team IAVA Veterans Tony Duynstee, Brenda Torres and Mar Cainglet.

Pat Tillman's Story and Legacy

Pat Tillman, a graduate of Arizona State University, put a successful NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to join the U.S. Army Rangers in 2002.  With his younger brother, Kevin, he served one tour in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.  On April 22, 2004, Pat was killed in action while serving in eastern Afghanistan.  Tillman was posthumously promoted from Specialist to Corporal and awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Established in 2005, Pat's Run is sponsored annually by the Pat Tillman Foundation [8], whose mission is to carry forward Pat's legacy by inspiring others to make positive changes in themselves and in the world around them. Last year, dozens of IAVA veterans from all over the country participated in this inspiring event.

For more information on Pat Tillman and the Pat Tillman Foundation, please visit: www.pattillmanfoundation.org [9].