Nathan Bruckenthal’s mile
Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal always went in for the active approach. In high school he was a volunteer firefighter and spoke of either making that his profession or becoming a police officer. “He would come to almost all the (fire) calls that he could,” said Michael Gabbianelli, a friend and fellow volunteer firefighter. “He was always there to help people.” Bruckenthal, 24, of Smithtown, N.Y., died April 24 when suicide bombers in boats attacked pumping stations in the Persian Gulf. He was based at the the Coast Guard Air Station in the Miami suburb of Opa-Locka, Fla. The Ridgefield, Conn., native was the first member of the Coast Guard to die in battle since Vietnam. Bruckenthal played football in high school and was involved with a club that helped students who were new to the school adjust. Bruckenthal was a month away from finishing his second stint in Iraq returning home to his wife, pregnant with their first child. Survivors also include his parents and sister.
The mile run for Nathan Bruckenthal.
Information for this story was provided by In Remembrance.
Just to say thanks again for all you are doing. I can only begin to imagine the thoughts and emotions as you tackle each mile day after day and connect with the personal story of one after another of our brave Americans, gone but not forgotten.
This afternoon I dropped off my flyers about the run to Nike (which has a Sunday running group) New Balance and Sports Chalet at South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, and mailed half a dozen more to people who are in the running mode or who have connections to Snails Pace or running clubs here in Orange County, CA. Everyone was in awe, so I am optimistic some of these folk will indeed put together a run on August 24th, or at least spread the word – especially if they log on and see videos such as this one today.
Standing in line at the PO or market I tell complete strangers, I am a senior with a mission and their eyes open wide and they listen! So thanks for making your web address so easy for them to remember!
Just take good care of yourselves on the road, and I shall look forward every evening late to wishing you God speed the next day and may the road rise to meet you and the wind be always at your backs.
I have been trying to reach Major Rob Soltes’ family to tell them he will be honored on your last mile on July 2 going into Mancos,Colorado. He was the third of the fallen heroes from Irvine, so if you don’t hear a personal message from them, know that I will be cheering on their behlaf. He had two little boys but never saw the baby that was on the way.
Los Angeles Times
By H G. Reza
October 24, 2004
There was never a doubt that Rob Soltes would grow up to become a soldier. He was born in the base hospital at Ft. Walters, Texas, while an Army band played “Stars and Stripes Forever” on the adjacent parade ground.
The son of an Army officer and Vietnam veteran, Soltes attended Norwich University, a military school in Vermont, where he was class president and graduated in 1990 as a second lieutenant.
“Robbie loved the military. We knew he was probably going to be a soldier,” said Greg Liccardi, who grew up with Soltes in Boonton Township, N.J. “His whole life from the time we were kids was about helping others, and that’s what he did as a soldier.”
Maj. Charles Robert Soltes Jr., 36, was killed Oct. 13 when an explosive device struck his convoy in Mosul, Iraq, killing him, another officer and wounding five soldiers. Soltes was assigned to the 426th Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army Reserve unit in Upland.
As a company commander, his mission was to help rebuild the public health infrastructure in Mosul, said his father, retired Col. Charles Soltes Sr. He said his son was killed while returning from a meeting with Iraqi health officials, and had been in Iraq less than a month.
Soltes, who loved to fish and camp, played rugby in college. His preference for the bruising sport did not overshadow his charitable nature, friends said. “Even as a kid, Robbie was an uncommon human being,” Liccardi said. “I don’t think he ever had a job that wasn’t about helping others.”
I have heard so much about your planned effort from my daughter Elizabeth and just happened to be surfing the web tonite when I came across your website. In reading the comments posted I just want to let you know how inspirational the words of those who remembered their friends and relative s are. Perhaps most striking to me is the notion of this being an apolitical effort. You have really tapped into the humanit y of the whole situation and not having an agenda makes your effort even more admirable. As a runner I know some of these hot days are challenging but just wanted to say what a great lifelong experience this will be and hope that more people across the US find out about your effort. I don’t think Liz has internet at her summer locale in Colorado but if I speak with her I will share the moving stories I have read.
Godspeed
Mark Pinnie
West Chester Pa.