An ER nurse and Gold Star sister, Erica Snyder runs in honor of her brother, PFC Coleman Hinkefent. Through wear blue, she revisits cherished memories, carries his legacy forward, and finds healing under the sunsets that remind her he is still near.

As she approaches the 10-year anniversary of her twin brother’s passing, Adena Crider is honoring his life through purposeful movement. Running in memory of Sgt. James Matthew “Matt” Crider, Adena has found healing, connection, and courage through the wear blue Gold Star Survivor Endurance Program, turning grief into action and remembrance into meaningful steps forward.

Juanita Bowling is a devoted mother, volunteer, and Gold Star mother honoring the life and legacy of her son, PFC Frank Jeremy Castillo, U.S. Army. Through running, service, and a steadfast commitment to self-care, Juanita transforms grief into purposeful action, carrying Frank’s name forward with every mile she runs. As a Cowtown Half Marathon athlete in the Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program, she inspires strength, balance, and hope in communities across Texas and beyond.

What began as a quiet sunrise hike through Phoenix’s Papago Park became an unexpected encounter with active remembrance. As the desert sky slowly filled with light, Phillip D. Cortez found himself standing within the Tribute wear blue Mile surrounded by Gold Star and Surviving families, flag bearers, and the faces of fallen service members honored one by one. In that stillness, amid prayers, flags, and footsteps, the silence of the desert gave way to stories of love, loss, and a community determined to ensure that no name is ever forgotten.

Read the full story, “Active Remembrance: When the Desert Silence Finds a Voice,” by Phillip D. Cortez.

After four decades of running and eight marathons, Gail Dwyer thought her days on the road were behind her. But when she lost her oldest son, CW3 Steve Dwyer, Jr., an Army special operations aviator killed in the line of duty, running called her back. What began as a return to movement became a lifeline, one step at a time, guiding her through grief, remembrance, and healing. As a Gold Star mother and Cowtown Half Marathon athlete with wear blue: run to remember, Gail runs not for pace or medals, but to honor her son, to serve others, and to keep moving forward when life feels impossibly uphill.

At Rock ’n’ Roll Arizona, thousands of runners encountered a mile that asked them to slow down and remember. Through a powerful partnership with Wounded Warrior Project, the wear blue Mile honored fallen service members and created space for reflection, healing, and connection.

Erica Grone never considered herself a runner until she chose to honor her son. This March, the New Hampshire mother will run the Cowtown Half Marathon with wear blue: run to remember in memory of SSG Tanner Wolf Grone. Inspired by her daughter Emily and guided by the Night Stalker motto “Don’t Quit,” Erica has turned grief into purpose one mile at a time. Her journey is a powerful reminder that love endures, families persevere, and no one runs alone.

Every race weekend begins with miles and logistics, but for the athletes of the wear blue: run to remember Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program, the journey to Cowtown is about far more. This year’s Cowtown Half Marathon cohort is made up of mothers, fathers, spouses, siblings, and children who are running in honor of loved ones who served and sacrificed. Over the coming weeks, we will share their powerful stories of remembrance, resilience, and community as they prepare to ensure their heroes are never forgotten.

wear blue: run to remember is honored to welcome Lieutenant General (Ret) Donna W Martin to our Board of Directors. A lifelong servant leader and former 67th Inspector General of the U.S. Army, LTG Martin brings decades of experience, integrity, and a deeply personal connection to wear blue’s mission through her participation in the Williamsburg Community Run. Her leadership strengthens our commitment to honoring the fallen while supporting veterans, military families, and survivors through active remembrance.

Nine Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program alumni traveled to Band of Runners Trail Camp and discovered how wear blue’s Circle of Remembrance can reach far beyond those who wear the shirt. Through shared miles, stories, and spoken names, a diverse community found connection, courage, and healing together.