Mom has already told you about one of our adventures in Newark, however, the more heartwarming story came only an hour before that.  We had stopped to feed Dad a bit and let him catch his breath.  We were about half a block from a BK, a godsend for all involved.  When Dad entered a gentleman in his 40's yelled out "Semper Fi brother".  After talking to him for a few minutes Dad found out that he was a down on his luck ex Marine.  He had served our country proud for over ten years and when he came home our government had not given him all he needed or deserved (our words not his).  Actually we didn't hear him complain once in our entire conversation.  When Dad told him why we were out here tears came to his eyes and he couldn't help but give Dad a hug.  The Kid ran back to the van and we gave him a NYDCRUN.COM t-shirt.

As we were finishing up and getting ready to go, he came back, gave us all hugs and wished us but the best of luck.  He even said, "If I didn't have my two kids at home, I'd be asking to come with y'all right now." 

This is the reason Dad is running, why he is toiling and not letting the pervasive knee problem get him down or stop him.

Semper Fi indeed.

~Ryan