After losing her husband in a military helicopter crash, Army veteran Samantha Barnes found healing and hope through wear blue: run to remember, a nonprofit honoring fallen service members through movement and remembrance. Seeking a way to support her daughters and herself, she turned to the organization’s Gold Star Youth Mentorship and Endurance programs. Now, as the volunteer community-run leader at Fort Campbell, Samantha brings people together each Memorial Day to remember the fallen — a powerful tradition built on connection, resilience, and purpose.

U.S. Army service member Kymberly Koenig shares her inspiring journey with wear blue: run to remember, from a chance encounter at the Army Ten-Miler to becoming a dedicated mentor in the Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program. In this heartfelt interview, Kymberly reflects on the power of remembrance, the healing strength of community, and the future of supporting military families through purposeful movement and connection.

Lace up with purpose at the 2025 SATX Marathon Weekend! Join wear blue: run to remember as we honor the service and sacrifice of our military heroes. Whether you’re tackling the 5K, Half, or Full Marathon, your miles matter. Use code wearblueSATX at checkout to receive $10 off your registration and run in remembrance.

After surviving a helicopter crash in 2006 that claimed the lives of eight Marines and two airmen, Susan Craig made a quiet, unwavering promise: to carry their names forward. Today, through wear blue: run to remember, Susan gathers a Lakeville community each month to honor those lives — not with fanfare, but with purposeful steps, spoken names, and a circle of remembrance.

​Every Saturday morning, a dedicated group gathers at DuPont Powderworks Park to honor fallen military heroes. Among them are Gold Star families, mentors, and volunteers who recite the names of those they've lost, ensuring their legacies endure. The Parmar family, for instance, commemorates Sgt. First Class Abraham Parmar, a devoted father of eight who passed away in 2019 due to injuries sustained during his service. This weekly tribute, organized by wear blue: run to remember, offers solace and a sense of community to families like the Parmars, reinforcing the enduring bond among those who have sacrificed for our nation.

wear blue: run to remember proudly welcomes Mona Dexter to our Board of Directors. A longtime member of the wear blue movement, Mona’s journey began in 2015 when she first ran through the Blue Mile at the Marine Corps Marathon. Now, as a dedicated advocate for military families and veterans, she brings her passion and leadership to further our mission of honoring the fallen and supporting those who serve.

Running is more than just movement—it’s remembrance, resilience, and connection. For Gold Star families, the simple act of lacing up their shoes and stepping onto the pavement carries the weight of honor and healing. In a recent feature by North State Journal, wear blue: run to remember’s mission to unite surviving families through purposeful steps takes center stage. This powerful story highlights how our community transforms miles into memories, ensuring that no fallen service member is ever forgotten.

No matter where we live, our wear blue community is always connected. As Cowtown Half Marathon weekend approaches, athletes, families, and volunteers will travel from near and far, bound by a shared mission of honoring those who served. Through training, mentorship, and unwavering support, this weekend will showcase the power of remembrance and connection.

Every runner on the Cowtown Half Marathon Gold Star Race Program team has a story, and their training journeys are as unique as the reasons they run. Some are conquering their very first half marathon, while others aim for personal bests. Guided by mentorship and a strong support system, these athletes embrace the challenge, knowing each step is a tribute to their fallen loved ones.

As we approach the Cowtown Half Marathon weekend, we celebrate the inspiring athletes of the Gold Star Race Program. This incredible cohort of runners is stepping onto the course with a shared purpose: to honor their fallen loved ones and carry forward their legacies through the powerful act of running. Through mentorship and dedicated training, these athletes are preparing for a weekend filled with remembrance and community.