United in Purpose: wear blue Community in Action at the Seattle Seahawks Game
By Sarah Vargo, Director, Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program
On Sunday, October 5, I had one of those moments that remind you exactly why community matters. I joined my wear blue: run to remember family at the Seattle Seahawks game, where we had the incredible honor of displaying the American flag during the pregame ceremony.
As both a proud Seahawk fan and member of the wear blue community, it was an experience I’ll never forget. Standing on that field, surrounded by 55 people, all different ages, backgrounds, and stories, we moved as one to bring the flag to life. Every step, every lift, every pull of the fabric relied on teamwork and trust. You could feel the connection between us, this shared desire to honor something bigger than ourselves.
That’s what wear blue is all about. It’s not just running or volunteering. It’s belonging. It’s coming together, again and again, united in purpose to honor the service and sacrifice of the American military and uplift the families.
Two of our Gold Star and Survivor athletes, Jennifer Wortman Hoeft and Joseph Hoiden, brought even deeper meaning to that moment. They both share a love for the Seahawks that connects directly to the men they honor, CSM Kelly Wortman and COL Timothy Hoiden.
Remembering CSM Kelly Wortman
Honored by his surviving spouse and GSSEP athlete, Jennifer Wortman Hoeft
Jennifer shared, “Kelly's love of sports was deep, but one of his favorite teams of all time was the Seattle Seahawks! He wasn't born a Seattle fan, but his love of the team grew the moment he moved to Washington State with the Army in 1994. Some would have called him a bandwagon fan, but there's no way. His motto, like many, was ‘win, lose, or tie, Sea Hawks…!’
He went to as many games as he could prior to getting season tickets, and once he became a season ticket holder, he never missed a game! During football season, it was all blue and green, and you could count on finding Kelly either at a tailgate before the game getting pumped for that week’s matchup, or at home (during away games) on the couch with a crockpot full of nachos, always in gear, whether it be a t-shirt or a jersey.
He had so much pride in this team. He wore the jerseys with pride, spoke about the team with pride, and honored them with pride. Every time we go to a game, we continue his traditions and give a toast to Kelly… #RestInPeaceKelly #GoHawks. He is always with us.”
Remembering COL Timothy Hoiden
Honored by his son and GSSEP athlete, Joseph Hoiden
“Tim Hoiden loved his Seahawks, a love he passed down to his son, Joseph. When Tim was battling pancreatic cancer, he was able to go to one last game with Joseph, a memory that is deeply cherished.
Joseph honored his dad in this full-circle moment.”
As I looked around that day, at Jennifer, at Joseph, at every member of our wear blue team holding that flag, I was reminded that remembrance doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes it’s a run. Sometimes it’s a mentorship. And sometimes it’s standing on a football field, surrounded by strangers who somehow feel like family.
That’s the beauty of wear blue: we show up. We honor. We belong. And together, we keep their memories alive, one name, one story, one powerful moment at a time.
Moments like these also remind me why the Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program exists. Just as we came together to lift that flag, our mentors and mentees lift one another, building connection, confidence, and healing through shared purpose. When we stand united, whether on a field or a running path, we remind one another that none of us carries the weight of remembrance alone.
