Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldier races to support Wounded Warrior Project

Courtesy Photo | Capt. Michele Kamon (back), a native of Staten Island, N.Y., who serves as the...... read more read more

Courtesy Photo | Capt. Michele Kamon (back), a native of Staten Island, N.Y., who serves as the division targeting officer with the Analysis Control Element, division intelligence section, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, runs in the 2007 New York City Marathon for "Fred's Team," a cancer fund for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the largest cancer treatment facility in New York City. Kamon will be participating in the 113th Annual Boston Marathon, scheduled for April 20, and will be running in honor of a different charity that helps severely injured troops called the "Wounded Warrior Project."  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.29.2009

Story by Spc. Douglas York 

Multi-National Division Baghdad

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By Spc. Douglas York
Multi-National Division - Baghdad

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – The term marathon comes from a Greek legend. This legend states that a messenger named Pheidippides was sent from the town of Marathon to Athens to declare that the Persians had been defeated.

According to that same legend, Pheidippides ran the entire distance of 42.195 kilometers, or 26 miles and 385 yards, without stopping. He then burst into an assembly, exclaiming, "We have won" before collapsing and dying.

Adding a modern twist to this fable is a Soldier within the ranks of the 4th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division – Baghdad. She, like Pheidippides, runs the same arduous distance. However, unlike the deceased Greek messenger, this troop's cause is to help comrades who have fallen already get back up again.

"The first race that I ran for a charity was for 'Fred's Team', which is a cancer fund for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the largest cancer treatment facility in New York City," said Capt. Michele Kamon, a native of Staten Island, N.Y., who serves as division targeting officer with the Analysis Control Element, intelligence section of the 4th Inf. Div.

The race that Kamon ran for the charity was the November 2007 New York City Marathon. A few years prior to that race she ran in the Philadelphia Marathon.

"My aunt had just passed away [from the effects of cancer] so I wanted to run in memory of her and in support of cancer research," she added.

The cancer afflicting her mother's sister was in stage four of its progression. The result was that it was inoperable and her aunt sadly passed away a mere two months after initial diagnosis. Beyond the monetary benefits the race provided the MSKCC, Kamon also obtained benefits in the form of memories that will last a lifetime.

"The really amazing thing is that on the N.Y.C. Marathon route you run past the Sloan-Kettering cancer facility around mile 18 or 19," she said. "Everyone that's running for 'Fred's Team' has colored shorts and shirts on, so it is easy to stand out and every patient who was physically able to come outside from the MSKCC did - a lot of children and their families cheering for us - and it was just extremely emotional to run past them all."

Because she wasn't doing that race for competition, she stopped and hugged some of the children, adding to an already emotional and tearful moment.

Drawing from that experience and the memory of her aunt, Kamon uses them now as the inspiration to run most of her races for charity. Her next race is the upcoming 113th annual Boston Marathon, scheduled for April 20, which she will run for a different charity that is very near and dear to her heart.

"I really enjoy running for charity because it puts meaning into all of the training and into the actual race and it makes it extremely emotional," Kamon said. "I was looking at all of the different fund-raising things I could run for and I've had a few friends who have been killed while they've been out here, as well as others who have been severely wounded."

The result is that she will be running in Boston for the "Wounded Warrior Project," a non-profit organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. According to the WWP's website, they are a group of veterans and brothers that were emotionally moved by the stories of the first wounded service members returning home from Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere.

"I had heard about it and didn't really know a lot about the 'Wounded Warrior Project' at the time so I looked into it," Kamon said. "Especially being a Soldier out here, it directly comes back to the people we're working with right now."

One of those people she is working with right now is an admirer of Kamon's. He lauds the steadfast and loyal efforts she is making on behalf of her injured friends in uniform, even though she may never meet those she's hoping to help.

"I think her efforts have inspired us all to do a little bit more," said Lt. Col. David Yebra, a native of Tucson, Ariz., who serves as the fire support coordinator, division operations section, 4th Inf. Div. "We all want to do more for the WWP and we've never really had an outlet for it so she's given us that opportunity to support the project through her efforts."

Through the support of Yebra and a host of others, Kamon hopes to be able to raise $10,000 and is currently at about $6,600 towards her goal. However, she was quick to note that the project also provides the troops with clothing, toiletries and other daily necessities should they need to be medically evacuated to Germany or the U.S.

"It's not just funding for families that have lost someone. It's even for the little things that Soldiers don't realize that they will need when they get to Germany or the states," she said.

Along with the outlet Kamon's efforts are providing for her peers to donate to the WWP cause, her workout routine leading up to the marathon is admired and encouraged by them as well, especially Yebra.

"She does more in one day than I do all week; it's incredible," he said. "What I try to do every time I see her is just to encourage her. I know that it's easy to get tired here and it's easy to lose focus. We just try to provide the support for her by praising her efforts and letting her know that we appreciate everything that she's doing."

Kamon further explained what Yebra was referring her current circumstances and preparation for the race.

"I started building my base of 50 miles [per week] when I got back off of leave in September and I maintained 50 miles for about two months," Kamon said. "I officially started my [advanced] training plan the first week of December and I try and stick to it."

This regimen takes her all over the Victory Base Complex, consists of long days, easy days, speed workouts and occasionally settling for the treadmill due to weather and dust.

Moreover, because of mission requirements, she must incorporate this training into her 16 to 17 hours-per-day work schedule, which means she misses meals and even sleep on occasion.

"Right now I'm at like the upper 50 [miles] per week," she said. "I just did my long run on Sunday, which is 22 miles. I felt great and that really helps with the training as it makes me feel like I'm doing a good job so far."

She continued that she or anyone else would also do a "good job" for this or any charity by going door-to-door and soliciting funds, but that the best way to ask for donations is providing a visible reason people can see and get involved with.

"I think people are more willing to donate money when they see effort put forth by someone ... into reaching a goal."

Yebra agrees and admits that he and his peers are living vicariously through Kamon's training.

"We all now feel that we are a part of the Boston Marathon because of Michele's efforts," he said. "More importantly, we play a larger role in supporting our 'wounded warriors.' I just can't express my appreciation enough for everything that she's doing by allowing us to 'ride along' in support of the WWP."

Realizing that the time to train for the race is nearing its completion, Kamon stresses that there is still plenty of time to get involved to support her in her efforts to help her fellow service members.

"People can donate directly on the web page and then they can also donate, I believe, via check," she said. "They can donate just a dollar amount, or if they want to donate a set amount per mile and wait until after the race, it's however they want to donate."

"There are a number of great charities, but this one just strikes close to us and I think at this moment in time, where we are in this tour, you couldn't find a better project right now to support," Yebra added.

Kamon will also be hosting several functions when she returns home in less than a month and through those events, as well as the funds she's already obtained, hopes to give the WWP the entire $10,000 prior to race day. However, she said that immediately after the race is fine as well for those who are donating on a per-mile basis and that simply donating is the most important aspect of what she's doing.

"I intend to do a lot when I get back to the states. I'm going to have a lot of 'open bars' and try and raise money and try and get people to come out and put some of the money that they have to pay to get into the bar towards the fund," Kamon said. "Then I plan on going door to door to some local businesses as well. It's hard to do [those things] while I'm out here."

The financial support is one thing but inspirational stories and efforts like Kamon's are ultimately what will make the biggest difference.

"The amount of support I've already received has been overwhelming, either with money that people have donated or just words of support and that really makes it easier - it adds a lot to this," she said. "This is kind of my way of trying to support those that put their lives at risk everyday."

Whether or not Kamon crosses the finish line at her goal of 3 hours and 15 minutes, the race will not only be the conclusion of a selfless effort, but the end of another chapter in her life as well.

"It's going to be the culmination of this deployment and really my Army career because I'm getting out in May," she said. "I'm going to try and leave the Army a little bit better - hopefully - than it was."

Optimistically looking ahead to that brisk April day in Boston, with her vision narrowing on the scene ahead where family, friends and "wounded warriors" are waiting for her to cross under the banners, Kamon will likely increase her gait and beat her expected time.

Triumphantly crossing the finish line, she may look down to see poor old Pheidippides lying there, but she won't stop. Instead, she will take a few more steps to embrace all the supporters and the warriors she ran for and, minus the Greek messenger's ill-fated collapse, will proclaim "We have won."