American Legion Post
162 -
The Avon Walk for
Breast Cancer was this past weekend 3 - 4 May 08. Vickie, Tammy, Jen, and
Brenda raised money, trained (well maybe Tammy did!), and walked this
weekend with over 3500 other participants in a walk for the cure. There
were 284 survivors that also walked with us. We raised over $8.1 million.
All of which is used in the local area to help those with breast cancer.
It can be used to help the under privileged, to help with new ways to try
and beat it, to help with education.....so many ways to help.
Since we crossed the
finish line, we began trying to think of the best way to thank everybody
for such a wonderful weekend. A generic thank you simply doesn't seem
sufficient. Rather, we thought it fitting to reflect on some special
moments of the race and perhaps, in sharing those, you will understand how
extraordinary this walk is and how thankful we are to you all for your
generosity in helping us meet out goals and showing such outstanding
support.
So here goes:
* It was awesome to
see hundreds of volunteers working tirelessly throughout the weekend at
packet pickup, handing out water, Gatorade, and food/snacks, helping us
cross the busy intersections, cheering us on, passing out candy and fruit
as we walked by their houses and places of business, driving the buses and
sweep vans for when we were sure that we could not take another step,
picking up the trash and the doctors and nurses that gave up their weekend
as well to burst and treat our blisters, our sprains, and our bodies.
* Moments of
inspiration were abundant, like at opening ceremonies, when we listened to
the stories of survival, starting with a 33 year old that was first
diagnosed with breast cancer at age 26. You looked around the crowd and
saw many a tear flowing. When you looked around the ceremonies and saw
another 3500 people just like we were there for the support for a cure for
breast cancer, it was just amazing. We walked with one gentleman that lost
his fiancé to cancer one month before their wedding. He walked in her
honor and carried a 42 pound back pack on his back which had her picture,
and other stuff that he said that she would have carried for such a walk.
He stated that she never knew how to pack lightly! These moments put into
perspective the significance of the weekend.
* Vickie, Tammy and
Brenda each received a sash that was passed out every three minutes for
the weekend which represented another person being diagnosed with breast
cancer, their lives forever altered, even as a survivor.
* I am not sure
which was more beautiful, when the survivors rushed into closing
ceremonies with their white pompoms flying or when the checks were
presented to our local breast cancer supporters by Reese Witherspoon,
knowing they were going to help those that were truly in need of our help!
Or it could have been holding hands with each other as we crossed the
finish line and knowing that we were part of this great weekend....and
hopefully a eventual cure for breast cancer!
Clearly, these are
just a few reflections but they are important to all of us. To us the
weekend represented camaraderie, family, community, friendship, love,
strength, determination, and faith and we want to thank each of your at
Lorton Post 162 for making it possible for us to participate in this walk
for the cure for breast cancer. You are an awesome part of our world and
we love you all very much!! And as our saying went for the weekend....WE
ALL ROCK!!!!!
Many Thanks and love
to you al; Vickie, Tammy, Jen, and Brenda
