On July 12th I will be participating in the 9th annual Swim With A Mission (SWAM)! In January I started training for a 5K swim (my mission) because SWAM raises money to support organizations that provide critical services for our Veterans. I will dedicate my swim mission in memory of Navy SEAL Blake Marston from Bedford, NH. Blake, a member of SEAL Team Four, was killed in a parachute training accident on 10 January 2015. Blake is one of the niney-four New Hampshire service members who have died while on active duty since 9/11. (https://www.navysealmuseum.org/memorial-wall/global-war-on-terror/william-blake-marston). RIP Blake. NEVER FORGET!
It has been a long time since I trained for a mission (profile picture 40+ years ago ;>) but for this SWAM, (thankfully) I won't be wearing the pictured Navy Mark V diving gear. Training in the Merrimack YMCA has been pleasant but it's time to swim in open water [No Lanes, No Lines]. A good warmup was the June 14th Charles River Swimming Club's 14th annual 1 mile race on the 'beautiful' Charles (didn't love that 'dirty water' ;> ) .... Pleased to report that I was the oldest finisher of 193 participants. Enough boasting, back to training for SWAM .... water should be crystal clear but a ~3x longer mission.
If you are able, PLEASE donate. Any amount will make a difference in the lives of some worthy Veterans and their families!!
Thank you for considering this 'ask' !
Swim With A Mission
On July 12th, Swim With A Misson is excited to hold it’s 9th Annual Event which consists of competitive swim races. Participants can choose to participate in a 1K, 5K, 10K or 10K Team Relay swim at Wellington State Park in Bristol, NH. There is also an Honor The Fallen and End The Stigma Memorial 5K Team Swim as well.
All participants are encouraged to raise funds that will go to support Veterans who need our help more than ever. Go to swam.org for more details.
Since being founded in 2017, Swim With A Mission has given almost $11.5 Million to service and support organizations that provide critical services to our Veterans.
Every year, SWAM focuses on important needs in the Veterans community and provides grants to worthy Veteran service and support programs. Each organization submits an application for a grant so we can consider how the money we raise each year can make the most impact in the community. The recipient of the grants provide services and support including mental health services, scholarships for children of a parent who died in service, taking care of homeless Veterans, providing rides and financial assistance to Veterans, providing health care services to Veterans, providing permanent housing for Veterans, K9’s for Veterans, and help with PTSD.