Running in Memory of Brian Arsenault, Army Specialist Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Sandy Gittlen

On Sept. 4, 2014, our nation lost a hero. But more importantly, my friends lost a son, brother, nephew and cousin. Army Specialist Brian K. Arsenault was killed in Afghanistan. He was a paratrooper with the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg.

Despite knowing his family - it’s a big one - I didn’t know Brian. I wish I had. In the days and months since his death, I’ve had a chance to learn of his amazing spirit, his loyalty and his vast capacity for compassion. On Memorial Day, at our town’s cemetery, his father Dan read a letter a fellow soldier sent about Brian. Needless to say, it echoed the sentiments his fellow infantrymen and schoolmates and family felt. Brian was not only a great soldier, he was a great human. And 28 was far too young for him to be taken from those who loved him.

I ran MCM in 2013 and it served as my first completed marathon. I had run earlier that year in Boston - but didn’t finish in the wake of the bombings. When I ran MCM, I was overcome by the stories of military families’ losses. Now it’s a sacrifice we have felt close to home. And this MCM will be run with full purpose and an intent to honor Brian’s legacy.

Please consider donating to my run on Oct. 25. It will be my 45th birthday weekend and I can think of no better way to spend it than running 26.2 to honor someone so wonderful who gave all to our country.