Home >> DL Index >> I Ran to Afghanistand...and Back

.:A Desert Lifestyle Article:.

I Ran to Afghanistan...and Back
by Rachel Sandlin

As spouses of the elite fighting force that is the United States Marine Corps, we often search for ways to show our Marines and Sailors our support.  While they are home we watch more sports, vacuum more sand and eat more red meat.  With one request we’ll cook enough to feed an army and drive it out to the range.  Needless to say, they keep us pretty busy.   When they deploy?  Well that seems to be a different story.  We sleep less, worry more and watch a lot more Lifetime originals.  Well, not all of us.

There are those spouses out there who’ve really got it together.  Their spouse is deployed and they are taking on independence with both hands.  During recent deployments, spouses aboard the Combat Center have initiated kids play groups, accepted jobs, taken on leadership roles at volunteer organizations and developed fitness programs for spouses.  These spouses are truly extraordinary, donating their time, money and energy for the benefit of our community.  And, I bet if you were to ask them why they’d simply reply, “Because I can.”

Sure, going through the day with your spouse 7,900 miles away isn’t easy, but Carolyn Schroder is making those miles count, literally.

The wife of Lt. Brandon Schroder, Carolyn has found a unique way to shrink the distance to her Marine.  Currently deployed to Afghanistan with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Brandon seems a world away, but Carolyn and other 2/7 Marine and Sailor lovers are walking, running, swimming, biking and skipping their way to Afghanistan. 

“We were sitting around watching Army Wives on Lifetime, brainstorming about something cool to do while the guys were gone on this deployment.  The idea came from Sally Salmons who created To Iraq and Back when the unit was deployed to Iraq two years ago, during Operation Iraqi Freedom 1.  Since this deployment to Afghanistan was going to be very different from others, no phone calls, no email, just love letters WWII style, I figured it would be a great way to keep our minds clear and our bodies in shape.  Especially with a lot of us being pregnant, we could get our bodies back in gear before our hubbys got home,” said Carolyn.

I Ran to Afghanistan is an initiative designed to promote well-being, relieve stress and build cohesiveness within the 2/7 family.  Their goal: to cover the 7,900 miles from Twentynine Palms to Afghanistan.  United in their efforts, the 2/7 family, including all spouses, families and friends of 2/7 service members, walked nearly 6,500 miles in the first month of the project.  The response was amazing and resetting the goal was imperative.  Rather than putting parameters on it, the group has decided to go back and forth to Afghanistan as many times as they can in the next seven months. 

Gaining momentum and members every day, Carolyn says, “The support we’ve received from all the families has been amazing.  Many parents who feel far away from their Marines, enjoy feeling connected to our 2/7 family by participating.  We even have people not even affiliated with 2/7 joining the program just because they appreciate the concept and the service of our Marines and Sailors.” 

Not only is Carolyn spearheading this incredible effort, tabulating the miles and updating the group’s blog, she also became a new mother in June.  “The support has gone far beyond the program.  When people found out I had my baby, I received tons of cards congratulating me and Brandon.  It has been such an uplifting experience,” Carolyn said.  Taking only a few days to recover, Carolyn is back on the road with baby Cailyn in the stroller, to do her part for I Ran to Afghanistan. 

As for Brandon and the Marines and Sailors of 2/7, Carolyn says, “Brandon thinks it is pretty amazing how many families and friends have come together for this common goal.  I know he appreciates the support, as do all the Marines and Sailors in 2/7.  I don’t know how many in the unit actually know this program exists, but I hope they know how much they are loved and missed.”

Interested in joining in their effort?  Simply visit their blog at www.RantoAfghanistan.blogspot.com and request a mileage tracker and application.  Turn it in each month and your mileage will take the entire group a few miles closer to reaching Afghanistan… again.