Letter: Tough Mudder Honors Wounded Military Warriors

On May 20, 2012 at 1100 hours, 20 friends, acquaintances and I, with a common goal, will be participating in the most physically challenging event of our lives as a team. We will be competing along side thousands of others who have committed themselves to endure the same kind of intense pain that we will be experiencing.

When I was asked to be a part of this team, initially, I said no. I have no desire to put my body through this kind of organized brutality. That was before I clicked on the link and did some research on what this race is all about. Even after doing so, it took several weeks of soul searching for me to finally agree to take on this challenge.

I'm not gonna lie, this race absolutely scares the daylights out of me. There is something about signing my own death waiver upon registration that gives me pause.

This particular event is referred to as the Tough Mudder (Toughmudder.com Twin Cities) and was organized to honor the real heroes, our wounded military warriors (www.woundedwarriorproject.com)

I'm am very grateful that I don't have a horse in the race when it comes to a loved one that has had to pay this lofty price. However, that could certainly change for any of us at some point in our lives. While it makes me very uncomfortable to ask for anyone's support, financial or otherwise, I can easily reconcile this discomfort with the knowledge that this cause has no more or less to do with me than anyone who is reading this.

I understand that we just can't donate to every cause out there. Maybe you already give to this or something like it. Maybe you aren't in a position financially at this time to make a contribution. In this case I would only ask two things - be very mindful of all our veterans, wounded or otherwise as you enjoy the many blessings in your life, for many of them have given everything so that we can have so much. Support them through your prayers or in whatever way you choose to express your spiritual being.

My other request is that you please forward this link to anyone you think is willing or able to contribute to this worthy cause. In return, I pledge to give all I can during my training over the coming months and to my team come race day on behalf of these extraordinary soldiers. I can think of no better way to express my gratitude towards someone I've never met for all of their sacrifices in the name of our freedom. Can you?

You can click on this link and explore without donating a thing.  Please do so!
Thank You for all your support!

Lon Anderson

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