On May 30, 2016, the Wingman Foundation completed its inaugural Memorial Day Walk-a-Thon in New York City! Over 70 people braved the inclement weather in front of the USS Intrepid on Monday morning for the start of the walk. We were humbled to be joined by fellow servicemen and women, as well as friends and family from as far as Hawaii, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
The 32-mile course took the group around the perimeter of Manhattan, with each mile dedicated to the memory of those we have lost in Navy and Marine aviation mishaps over the last ten years.
Some participants walked through particular neighborhoods, others chose to walk specific miles for their friends and loved ones, and about ten walkers covered the entire course. At each mile, the group paused to read the names and stories of the fallen, look at their pictures, and share our memories of them. It was an intimate setting and a way for our community to re-tell stories of their colleagues and friends. We hope that our day proved to have kept these warriors' legacies alive and that they are never forgotten.
Mile 29: Capt Ben Potter remembers LCpl Joshua Barron and LCpl Matthew Determan
Thank you to everyone who walked, volunteered, and donated — you made our first Walk-a-Thon a success and helped remind us of the true meaning of Memorial Day. It was a long, fun day, and we’re already looking forward to next year!
A detailed list of those we remembered and their stories is below:
