“One More Mile for Dad” Celina Linde’s Journey to the Start Line and Beyond
To Celina Linde, her father wasn’t just a soldier — he was the spark that lit up every room, the steady hand her family could always count on, the laugh that cut through hard moments. Sergeant First Class Darren Linde was killed in action on December 3, 2012, in Afghanistan. And while the grief never disappeared, his presence never did either.
“He was the heartbeat,” Celina shares. “His legacy is one of resilience, integrity, and unconditional love. He taught me to show up, lead with kindness, and find purpose even in the hard things. I try to pass those same lessons on to my kids.”
A nurse, mother of four, and now a first-time marathoner, Celina has always carried her father’s memory with her. But now, as she trains in the unforgiving Arizona heat, she’s doing more than carrying — she’s running.
“We always joked about running a race together one day,” Celina says. “This marathon feels like I’m finally keeping that promise — just in a different way. Every mile is for him.”
Running has become a sacred space for Celina — one of reflection, resilience, and release. “The heat, the miles, the memories — sometimes it all feels like too much,” she says. “But healing isn’t comfortable. It’s gritty, sweaty, and incredibly brave.”
When training gets tough, Celina repeats one mantra: “One more mile for Dad.”
She pictures him at the finish line or right beside her, jogging in spirit. “He’d have that smirk on his face, saying, ‘You’ve got this kiddo, keep going.’”
For Celina, being a Gold Star daughter means living with both the weight of grief and the strength of legacy. “It’s about honoring a life cut short by living a life of purpose. I still see him. I still carry him. I’m still running forward — for both of us.”
Her journey has also been buoyed by the wear blue community. “The Circle of Remembrance gave me a kind of healing I didn’t know I needed. Hearing his name spoken aloud, with reverence — it’s sacred,” she reflects. “It transforms grief into connection.”
Throughout her career as a nurse, Celina cared for patients and their families in their most vulnerable moments, bringing the same empathy and steadiness that her father had once shown to her. “Loss gave me perspective,” she reflects. “Nursing gave me a way to turn that perspective into action — to lead with compassion, to be present, to truly see people. Those are values I know my dad would’ve been proud of.”
Her support system, her kids, partner, and fellow runners, has made every mile possible. “They keep me going. I may be running solo, but I’m never alone.”
Sharing her story is about more than personal healing. “It’s how I keep his name alive. I want people to remember that he was more than a uniform. He was laughter around a campfire, a loyal friend, a protector, a devoted dad. His story didn’t end on December 3rd. It lives on in us.”
And to other Gold Star children navigating grief while raising families of their own, Celina offers a simple reminder:
“You don’t have to be perfect to be honoring them. Just showing up is enough. Our grief can be transformed into something beautiful — into strength, compassion, and purpose. You’re doing better than you think.”
Cohort Update:
This fall, Celina Linde will run her first marathon as part of the 2025 Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program. She runs in honor of her father, Sergeant First Class Darren Linde, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2012. For Celina, every mile is a promise — to her father, her family, and herself.
Celina is one of twelve athletes training for the Marine Corps Marathon this October. The cohort is currently completing their 11th week of training, building both endurance and mental toughness, with long runs of up to 16 miles under their belts.
Next, we’ll introduce Eric Fort, a Marine Corp Veteran honoring his father.
