Our story
Why the Patriots 5K?
Turning grief into action. Remembrance into purpose.
Where it began
Born from loss. Built on hope.
The Patriots 5K was born from loss, but it was built on hope. Following the death of U.S. Navy veteran Jerry Ondo, his family, friends, fellow veterans, and community came together with a simple conviction: his story could not end in darkness. His life deserved to be remembered, and his loss had to become a reason to fight harder for the veterans and families who are still with us.
The Patriots 5K is about much more than crossing a finish line. It is a day to honor those we have lost, stand beside the families who carry their memory, support veterans who are still fighting battles after their service, and remind our community that no one should have to walk that road alone.
Why we run
One race. Three promises.
Honor
The men and women who raised their hands to serve our country. And recognize that for many veterans, the battle does not end when they come home.
Remember
Our fallen brothers and sisters, speak their names, share their stories, and surround their families with a community that refuses to forget them.
Support
Veterans and families through connection, resources, fellowship, advocacy, and meaningful action that continues long after race day.
Beyond the course
More than a 5K
The race brings us together, but the mission goes far beyond the course.
The National In Memory Of Ceremony gives families and communities a place to remember those no longer with us. The Veterans Resource Fair connects veterans and their families with organizations ready to serve them. And the Patriots 5K marks the launch of Semper Fi Mission's White Star Initiative, created to provide scholarships for children of veterans who have died by suicide.
White Star Initiative
Education. Opportunity. Hope.
Providing scholarships for children of veterans who have died by suicide.
Every runner. Every walker. Every rucker. Every volunteer. Every sponsor. Every family member who traveled here. Every name carried on the memorial flag.
They are all part of the same mission.
Why we are here
Light drives out darkness.
Veteran suicide is not simply a statistic. Behind every number is a name, a story, a family, and people whose lives are forever changed.
We cannot change what happened yesterday. But together, we can decide what we do tomorrow. We can remember. We can show up. We can serve. We can bring hope into places where darkness has taken hold.
That is why we are here. That is why we run. And that is why the Patriots 5K exists.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.