Courage comes in many different forms. Courage is the soldier fighting for their country overseas. Courage is also the family that they leave behind, who have to live their day to day lives without the ones that they love the most. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (also known as TAPS) focuses on giving assistance to families who have lost their loved ones in the line of duty. The assistance comes in the form of resources, seminars, publications, and many other services. These services are provided to all families that have been impacted by a death in the military, regardless of geography or circumstance.
There are many ways that people can fundraise and donate to the TAPS organization. A popular way is by running in the 40th Annual Marine Corps Marathon. Two local Burton women are doing just that.
Mary Goff-Hipp is running in the memory of her grandfather, Karl George Goff.
Goff was a Staff Sgt in the Air Corps, flying 23 combat missions in B-24 bombers. He was shot down over Germany and kept as a prisoner of war, before being liberated by Patton’s Army in 1945. For his efforts, he attained the rank of staff sergeant, received the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, and the EAME Theatre Service Medal with two Bronze Stars. Also, his bomb group was awarded the Croix de Guerre Avec Plume citation by the French Government.
He passed away on June 9, 2009, and was a huge inspiration to Mary and her family. Mary remembers how he would bring the flag in every night or during bad weather, and how on every March 3, at 10:30 a.m., he would observe a moment of silence and take a shot of whiskey to honor his comrades who never made it home. “The strongest legacies that he left all of his children were respect and honor, for our country, our soldiers,” Mary said to me over the phone. “Even my dad to this day, when we’re sitting next to a military man or family in a restaurant, he’ll go and pay for their dinner.”
“We’ve had so many friends that have served or are currently serving,” she adds, her voice filled with pride for those people, “It’s about recognizing the service that they give so we can enjoy the freedom that I enjoy, that my family enjoys. My friend had her first child while her husband was overseas. It’s amazing what you take for granted.”
Preparing for the 40th Annual Marine Corps Marathon has taken a lot of hard work and dedication. Mary and Rachel both signed up for the marathon in March, and have been training ever since. During the week they run 10 mile runs, and long runs on the weekend that can be twenty plus miles. With as much of a commitment as it is, it takes a great support system to do it. Mary stated it perfectly when she said, “It takes the commitment of your family too.”
“But it’s nothing compared to what we’re running for,” says Mary’s teammate and running partner Rachel Hutchinson, “What keeps us going is that we’re running for the families of fallen soldiers. That’s what keeps you going. Running is nothing in comparison.”
Rachel’s brother-in-law and grandfather both fought in the army. Both of these family members left their impressions. When asked about what they left behind, Rachel answered, “A love for our country, pride in our nation, and a feeling of gratitude.” These family members also left their mark on her nine-year-old son, who dreams of joining the Air Force when he’s old enough.
“There’s not enough we can do to help, and I’m honored that I can run to help people. If I can run 26 miles for families that have lost service men… that’s a great honor,” Rachel explains to me in an interview. For her, running is a spiritual thing. It’s her passion, and she’s using it to make a difference.
“I’ve had some people say, ‘How does running make a difference? What’s the relation between the marathon and the charity?’ I think that there’re two answers,” Mary explains, “The fundraising is a direct benefit to the people we’re trying to help. The second answer is awareness. Running this marathon, for this charity keeps the memory of these people alive. It keeps people aware of the sacrifices that these soldiers, these families have made.”
The 40th Annual Marine Corps Marathon takes place in Arlington, VA on October 25. All of the funds that Rachel and Mary raise will go to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. If you would like to show your support for these women in the form of a donation, you can do so online.
