PASS Joins NATCA in the Patriot Run Across America
Thursday, May 03, 2012



After a great kick-start with NATCA Houston members participating in the Patriot Run Across America, we continue to build momentum for John Pyle's cause supporting the Wounded Warriors Project as he steps into Florida.

This week, NATCA has reached nearly $7,000 in donations, close to breaking into the top five fundraising teams for the Wounded Warrior Project. However, with the run ending this month, NATCA still has over $18,000 to raise in order meet its goal of $25,000. NATCA encourages everyone's participation, whether that is running alongside Pyle as he comes through a town near you or making a contribution to the NATCA Running fundraising efforts (donation Web site here).

Recently, local brothers and sisters in the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) have enthusiastically joined Miami Center's (ZMA) efforts, including Ida Marrero, a PASS technician who was deployed on a mission in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. She and her counterparts took care of wounded patients until they could be relocated. They moved 850 patients, including US Forces and Joint Coalition Forces, while also caring for 350 Marines who were able to return to the field.

"Every day I think about those boys I put on the plane to go home and I never forget how brave they are,” said Marrero. "Despite their injuries most don't want to go home, they want to continue the fight along with there fellow marines, soldiers, airmen and sailors. While serving in Afghanistan I met the bravest men and women in the world and would never trade a day I served with them. I am honored to support the Wounded Warrior Project and I'm especially proud of everyone who has joined in this great project."

ZMA local NATCA members couldn't be more thrilled for PASS's participation.

"Every day we are seeing more volunteers from Miami Center and last week, our brothers and sisters in PASS joined the effort," said NATCA Running relay team member Ruth Stilwell. "It was especially exciting to talk to Ida, who was deployed to a hospital in Afghanistan. She knows first hand what our brave men and women are facing when they leave the battlefield. Her experience reminds us how important it is for us to succeed in this effort."

ZMA NATCA President Steve Wallace said he is proud that members at ZMA and the Local Executive Board are putting forth the effort to participate in the run.

"Miami center local's level of enthusiasm and willingness to contribute time, energy and money to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project is inspiring," said Wallace. "If each NATCA member and NATCA Local will give just a little bit, we will certainly reach our fundraising and participation goals. I am glad that our folks in South Florida are involved and part of this.

To meet our goal of $25,000, NATCA only needs 700 more members to donate $25 for the cause. The Wounded Warrior Project has recognized NATCA Running as an official supporter so NATCA members can make tax-deductible donations online directly to the charity and NATCA will be credited. NATCA Charitable Foundation (NCF) has already donated $1000 to the cause.

In addition to donations, if you are interested in joining the NATCA members by running or walking for this cause, please send your name, email, phone and facility to Pam Gonzalez at pmg.gonzo@gmail.com. A Facebook page has been launched for the cause N A T C A running where you can find more information. Please refer to the Florida schedule below to see when the Patriot Run Across America will be in your neck of the woods.

Today (May 4) - Tallahassee
May 8 - Gainesville
May 9 - Ocala
May 11 - Orlando
May 14 - Port St. Lucie
May 15 - West Palm Beach
May16 - Ft. Lauderdale
May 17 - Miami
May 18 - Key Largo


The Patriot Run Across America is organized by the Patriot Trust, Inc., a non-profit organization formed in 2011 to aid American servicemen and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a nonprofit whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Every year, wounded warriors and caregivers receive support each year through WWP programs and services. Find out more about the Patriot Run Across American at http://www.patriotrunacrossamerica.com/ or the Wounded Warrior Project at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

If you ran with Pyle, please contact Hillary Stroud at hstroud@natcadc.org to have your story published in the NATCA Insider and encourage others to participate.