From Vietnam to Today: Eric Fort’s Endurance of Remembrance
Eric Fort holds immense pride in being the Gold Star child of Lt. Eric Parker Brice, a Vietnam Veteran who gave his life in service to our nation. On June 4, 1968, at just 25 years old, Lt. Brice’s aircraft was struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire. Though Eric never had the chance to meet his father, born just a few weeks after his father’s passing, his life has been shaped by the legacy of service, sacrifice, and love for country that Lt. Brice left behind.
“Husband of 30 years, Dad to 2 boys, Marine Corps Veteran…these are titles that I am proud to have,” Eric shares. “Gold Star Son and sole survivor are two other titles given to me. Ones that I carry with honor, humility, and often times pain.”
Over the years, Eric has come to know his father through the memories of others—stories from those who served alongside him, describing his devotion to family, his love of flying, and even his mischievous humor. “I wish I had stories of my own to share,” Eric reflects, “but sadly, he and I never had that opportunity together.”
For Eric, running has become a way to keep his father’s memory alive. “Being a part of the wear blue: run to remember community has given me the opportunity to ‘turn grief into purpose’ by using running as a platform to continue to say my Dad’s name—to tell his story to others, and to never forget the sacrifice he made in the name of freedom.”
That sense of purpose keeps him moving forward. “Wearing the blue reminds me of the dozens and dozens of people supporting me and my peers in this journey—even when it feels like an overwhelming goal to try to successfully complete. Every step and every mile is taken with pride knowing each one is done in remembrance.”
Beyond running, Eric has become a strong advocate for Gold Star and Surviving children. He was instrumental in the grassroots efforts that led to the first official state recognitions of Gold Star Children’s Day in Alabama and Mississippi. Those early steps helped inspire additional states to follow, and eventually, bipartisan recognition at the federal level—creating a national day of honor for sons and daughters of the fallen.
Living in Hoover, Alabama, Eric has also organized A Step to Remember, a memorial walk where he takes a step for every name on The Wall, plus an additional 1,573 steps for those still missing in action. Now, through the Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program, Eric is stepping into a new challenge: running a distance he’s never attempted before. “As a Marine, I’ve done plenty of marches, but I’ve never run anything close to a marathon,” he says.
Eric runs with pride, purpose, and the unwavering belief that the stories of our fallen—and the families who love them—must always be remembered. From Vietnam to today, he carries his father’s legacy forward with every step.
Cohort Update:
Now in their 12th week of training, the Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program athletes are hitting the pavement with grit and determination. These next few weeks are some of the most crucial—testing what fuels their bodies on the long runs and sharpening the mental resilience that will carry them across the finish line.
We invite our wear blue community to stand with us on the wear blue mile, offering support to our athletes and joining together in remembrance.
