Veterans “Run As One” Across the Nation

On April 12, in communities across the country, Team Red, White and Blue (Team RWB), Team Rubicon, and The Mission Continues held their third annual Run As One event in honor of Marine veteran Clay Hunt -- an original member of Team Rubicon who lost his battle with PTSD and depression. Run As One celebrates the partnership between these three organizations while also symbolizing the leadership, action, and collaboration across all segments of our society supporting veterans and their families. The goals of Run As One are to:

1. Build strong, united communities around America's veterans.
2. Demonstrate leadership by driving collaboration and a proactive approach to veteran service.
3. Raise awareness of, and demonstrate solutions to, the challenges of the military to civilian transition.

Nationally, over 60 cities participated in Run As One on the same day, symbolically bringing together thousands of veterans and supporters across the country. Here in Washington, D.C., over 200 individuals jogged or walked from the National Mall to the U.S. Capitol and back, raising awareness about veterans’ issues among the tourists and local residents in the area. Participants also completed 22 push-ups at the finish line to raise awareness about veteran suicide.

Team RWB, Team Rubicon, and The Mission Continues are all playing a critical role in helping veterans integrate within their local communities across the country, and Joining Forces is pleased to highlight the Run As One event, which symbolizes their efforts to build strong communities around America’s veterans.

Commander Cara LaPointe, U.S. Navy, is a White House Fellow in the Office of the First Lady.