David Hardt's Run For The Troops

The Fallen 48 week finally arrived, and the anticipation and stress started to develop in accelerated fashion. The week before a regular race the stresses normally result in my just being fidgety to my being somewhat less concerned about or disconnected from those around me. I know that might sound odd to those who have followed my writing, but it’s just a race mind-set. I started to document the days leading up to the marathon, and as I did, things just seemed to happen. In the book I am writing, I’ve titled this part of my life “What can happen will happen.”

Monday morning I was driving to work, and a lug nut came loose on one of my tires, tossing my Jeep to the side of the road. With my luck, I didn’t have the certain tool to fix the problem, so I had to run home five miles and get the spiffy little tool to fix the problem. Running these five miles home was maybe the coldest temperature I have ever run in. The five-mile run back was like running with blocks on my feet. So 10 miles later and everything was fixed. I looked at my watch and realized that I was late, so I went for my cell phone, but it wasn’t there. It was back at the house, go figure. I drove back home, and by the time I got there, I realized I was late for first call. In four years in the service I have never been late, never. I called my leaders and told them the story. I then made my way to the post very melancholic to say the least. I was happy that no one second-guessed me on what had happened. I think my history proved as creditability.

The next evening Jerry Brewer from The Seattle Times contacted me for an interview. When I look back at this interview, this is what changed the whole week for me. Mr. Brewer gave me the opportunity to get the message out there, and doing that brought the news from ABC, NBC, FOX, CNN and other news outlets. Unfortunately, I didn’t get an opportunity to talk to The Ranger. The men and I are greatly appreciative of Mr. Brewer’s work and wisdom to project this message to the masses, especially on the front page of the most read paper in Seattle. As the days started getting closer to the race, I started to get a better sense of passion for the cause and direction. I spent time doing research on the course and making a conscientious plan for the race.

Wednesday came, and I found myself relaxing and trying to enjoy myself going into the Thanksgiving holiday. My plan since Iraq was to go back home for the holiday, but it was going to be for only one day and then back to Seattle to get my head in the game for the marathon. I got on the plane and made my way home. It’s always nice to get home and hang with the family and catch up. After eating some great turkey and catching up, I was on a plane back to Washington.
I arrived in Seattle and made my way to the Westin to check in. I had reserved a room in September, so I knew that getting a room wasn’t going to be a task. Well, what will happen, will happen. Somehow, my reservation had been canceled, so that really threw me for a loop. I was furious, but I kept my calm, because it wasn’t the person behind the desk who had messed it up. To go along with this, I found out later that the Westin had charged me $1,123 dollars on Sept. 26 and I was charged once again for this visit. So everything from a wheel almost falling off my Jeep to my bank account being eaten up, things were not as peachy as I wanted them to be.

That evening I found myself in bed looking out the window into the city. I got lost in my thoughts, and before I knew it, I was sleeping. I awoke the next morning and walked downstairs to see if there was anything cool going on in the marathon expo. As I walked out of the elevator and made my way through the lobby, I noticed that some folks sitting to my left were staring at me intently, and then I noticed that some more folks were looking my way. I just waved as if I knew these people. As I walked by, I looked to my right where a newsstand was, and there on the front cover of the paper was a picture of me running and the headline “Running in remembrance.” I quickly looked back at those who had been looking at me and laughed. One of the guys pointed at the front of the paper and mouthed, “Is that you?” I shrugged my shoulders and nodded my head “yes.” He gave me thumbs-up and then went back to reading the paper. I am a humble guy, and I don’t strive for attention, but in this situation, if I was a criminal on the run the authorities would have had a lot of people calling in reporting that they had seen me. I knew that people read The Ranger, but the Seattle Times drops you into a whole new ballpark of publicity. It was overwhelming at times. Just a normal walk down the streets of Seattle or walking in the mall I would come across people who wanted to shake my hand, take pictures, ask questions about my training and the men we lost. I even signed some of the shirts that we had made for the race. That was different to say the least.

The race was on my mind 24-7. I went over and over in my head everything from A to Z on race preparation, checking off the blocks for probable success. I think what really concerned me was my leg and what could happen if it locked up. I think I spent more time massaging my legs than eating and drinking. The whole weekend was rather interesting and very intense — but really fun too. I finally got used to coming downstairs from my room and having people come up and talk to me. That was big for me, because I like to stay in lane. I will say one thing: even though I had support from the locals, I still was on my own and alone. The last night before the race I wrote on a pad of paper where I had been writing all of my thoughts, “It seems like for once my voice has reached many people, but yet I am only a vessel for whom we lost. I may have the smiles and loving hugs and appreciative handshakes, but I am still alone in a sense.” However, I found comfort, love and focus from my very special lady, Alicia, with whom I had developed a wonderful friendship in the early weeks of coming home. She couldn’t make it to the race because she had prior commitments — such as going to her family’s house for the holiday. Between being inundated with press and worrying about my leg, I spoke to her, and she guided me and helped me immensely, making things easier and less stressful.

The night before the race I made a point to get out of the room and go into the city and just see the life. I walked around and occasionally sat down and just watched people walk around. Of course, I pulled out my little notepad and started to write. This was a very important hour in my weekend.
This is what I wrote: “I see smiling faces of little boys and girls full of life, and then I see people who love each other holding hands, walking around laughing and smiling. It’s life, and it’s freedom. The smell of food and the sounds of cars rush down the streets, and the hustle and bustle of people walking around consumes my thoughts on how lucky we are to be so free.” I closed my eyes and just took everything in and realized that this run was more than just another run. It was deeper than any sea and bigger than any mountain. It encompassed everything around me and the men who had allowed all of this to happen.

I went back to my room and got ready for the pasta feed that happened to be with John Kokes, the president of the Seattle Marathon. It was awesome. I was so touched by the way he introduced me to the room full of runners. He passionately told my story. He broke down and started to cry, becoming speechless. It was so moving and pure.
That night when I went back to my room, I knew I was ready mentally and physically to take on this mission of bringing these men across the finish line. I took my last call from a reporter from Fox News and then called my mom and dad and Alicia and told them that I loved them and that I would be thinking about them. I hung up, jumped in bed, closed my eyes, and fell sound asleep. It was the first time since April 14, 2004, that I slept soundly and purely without medication.

David B Hardt
(*The Writer)
Next Week: The 26.2 mission of remembrance

Comments

[ulam]

Sad that the ranger wasn't there- what kind of support is that. It was great to see you on the news and the front cover of the Seattle Times. I dont know if you checked, but there is alot of comments about your writing- the public really loves you and your writing.
Your big time now, keep your head on though

Ranger- this was a huge story about "Your guy" just would have been nice to see a report on it.

ulam and family/

[jenny]

WOW NO RANGER SHOWED UP FOR THIS- SORRY TO HERE THAT- YOUR OUR HERO,

JENNY LOUIS.

[daniel]

Dave great job. I saw you come in and saw all the lights and cameras going off. You seem like you had did it before and even though you looked tired you did the interview.

Hey Ranger- No show for your boy== not good= I read this paper now because of him. talented young man,,,you need him
daniel/

[Gale Poindexter]

GOD Bless you David for honoring our fallen Heroes!
Gale Poindexter
(Proud mother of Sgt Joel W. Lewis, 5/20, 3-2 SBCT /Ft Lewis-KIA 5/ 6/07, Baqubah, Iraq)

[melissa]

First off I think what this guy did was so great that there is really no words to explain what it means to us the wives of the fallen men. 2nd Rnger come on this was on the front page of the Seattle Times and on the every news channel and this guy isnt even on your front cover------Where is the loyalty and respect. David Bruce you need to think about who you writting for.

Well my family wants you to come over and have dinner with us so I will email you. I know from what I heard you are a dynamic speaker, maybe you can give some direction to my kids,,,,,they need someone to tell them that courge and pride is something that can move mountain and in your case stop the news and have your messages across world - you were on CNN---WOW you really made it big

thanks
Fearie family
Melissa

[Editor]

We are extremely proud of David at the Fort Lewis Ranger newspaper. David covered his race several times in our newspaper leading up to the run and after, therefore we didn't feel there was anything we could add. When the story comes directly from the participant, we typically choose to get out of the way.

That doesn't mean, however, that we have neglected to honor David. Last month, we did an entire feature story on David and why he chose to write about his life.

We also honored David with a luncheon at the local country club so our staff could meet him.

Finally, we made the decision to continue running David's column even though the original intent was to just offer his writings from the war zone.

It warms our heart that so many people have found a connection with David's writing.

– Editor

[David Hardt (*The Writer)]

Hum? I read all the comments and I do take them all in and respect them. I have been getting emails that are saying the same thing so I thought I would calm the storm, such as my boss has.

Number One- I am just a person that writes for the paper and have been for 17 months or so- not some kind of super writer

Number Two-I am loyal to the Ranger and always will be.

Number Three-I have got emails about writing else where- but really have we forgot that I am in the Army still.

Number Four - Some of the emails are telling me "You fight to keep my mouth open about the Army, but dont say a word about the Ranger not being there?"-----I ask you to now glance back at 1,2,5 and 6

Number Five I am a very humble man and I love what I do

Number Six Don't slap the hand that has made you

Have a great day readers
david hardt
(*The writer)

[amy]

Wow, David us readers seeed to start a wild fire here on this site. I have never seen this many comments. We are all proud of you for the things you are doing. You must have never thought you would be a topic in someones house hold. Me and my husband talked about you yesterday at dinner. We talked about the education. He thought that you really gave a great article.

Your brillant and we know that the ranger knows it-
OUR FAMILY WANTS THE FIRST BOOK,,,,,

AMY AND ANDY WALSBURG
SPOKAN WASHINGTON

[jeanna]

Hey so cool saw David Hardt running over in Renton. It was really late he looked like he was really going fast. Didnt want to be crazy and say anything. Hey David if you go running down 140th again I will say hello. You really train at late hour- oh lets say 330 am
wow. Your a great writer and you know it.

No I am not stalking you, however you are cute- lol.

Jeanna