SRPMIC Members, Employees Participate in Pat’s Run

By Andreea Miguel

Pat Tillman was a star Arizona State University (ASU) linebacker who had an exceptional football career. Tillman was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 1997 after leading his team to a Pac-10 championship and the Rose Bowl the previous year. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL Draft as the 226th pick.

After four years of playing professional football, Tillman enlisted in the military shortly after the September 11 attacks in New York City. While on deployment he tragically lost his life. Over the years, his family and loved ones have held an annual run and walk celebrating his life and honoring him as a man who put his professional career on hold to serve his country.

Pat’s Run is a 4.2 mile run and walk that honors Tillman and his legacy here in Arizona. The annual run is held in the streets of Tempe and ends at the 42-yard line in Mountain America Stadium (formerly Sun Devil Stadium). Thousands of participants are split into different groups with each starting at different times to avoid heavy foot traffic.

Every runner who registers is given a runner’s bib with their own individual number and a running shirt with the number 42 on the back and 40 on the front. Both were Tillman’s jersey numbers from his college career (42) and his career with the Arizona Cardinals (40). However, many pay tribute to Tillman’s legacy by completing the run in their service uniforms, while others carry flags of the different branches of the military along with the U.S. flag.

Every year the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Veterans Affairs Department gives Community members and employees who are veterans and their families the opportunity to participate in the run, which was held on April 12 this year.

“This event is not only an opportunity to honor the legacy of Pat Tillman but also provides several personal and community advantages such as commemoration [and] honoring veterans’ sacrifices and fallen comrades,” said Veterans Services Representative Amanda White.

Pat’s Run, for many, is a celebration for participants to promote physical fitness, wellbeing and raise awareness in challenges veterans face in civilian life. Profits from the run go to a supporting program that assists veterans.

“Once again, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the Community members, employee veterans and their families who participated in the 21st Annual Pat’s Run or Walk. Together, we celebrate Pat’s legacy and proudly showcased the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community,” White added.

“Pat’s legacy is one of unwavering devotion. The man gave up playing in the NFL to serve his country in a major time of need. He also gave the ultimate sacrifice with his life. Something he could have easily avoided by deciding not to enlist. His story had inspired me when I was younger to enlist into the Marine Corps,” said SRPMIC member Daniel Smith Jr.

Smith enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps in 2017 and spent three months in San Diego, California in Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (MCRD). He was then stationed for two years in Okinawa, Japan and relocated to MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms in California for an additional two years.

“There was a great sense of pride as a veteran and as a native to Arizona while at Pat’s Run. Seeing so many people come together for an event reminds me just how great it is to be an American. Having the freedoms and liberties that we take for granted at times. It also showed what can be accomplished when we start working together instead of trying to find everything that divides us.” Smith said.

“I am very grateful for the Community taking care of my entry fees for the race. It was a great experience for my family and myself. I hope to continue running and to participate in Pat’s Run again.”

Community Veterans

Patrick James Jr.

Derrick Dalton

Jeremy Hager

Ruben Thomas

Daniel Smith Jr.

Employee Veterans

Troy Truax III

Carolyn Scarbrough

Aaron Vaught

Leroy Little

Ryan Roanhorse