On Oct. 24, I had the blessing and honor of running for the first time in the Army Ten-Miler in Washington.

Holy cow! I must say it was quite an event. This was the 26th annual race through our nation’s capital. There were easily more than 50,000 souls gathered for the occasion – including the 30,000 registered runners.

As a young lieutenant and the youngest chaplain in the Colorado Army National Guard Chaplain Corps, I can’t claim extensive military experience; yet there are some things you don’t need experience to understand. For example, the Army has always been known for camaraderie, discipline, and service. Yet what I experienced this weekend took what I knew of the Army to a whole new level!

I ran with my battle buddies: chaplain candidate Capt. Mary St. Onge from the 193rd Military Police Battalion Rear Detachment; 2nd Lt. Mark Jenkins from 2nd Battalion,135th General Support Aviation; and Staff Sgt. Jac Scott from the 169th Fires Brigade. Our group ran for team TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) in honor of our fallen heroes. St. Onge and Scott ran for two of St. Onge’s Soldiers from her active duty days as a platoon leader. Jenkins and I ran for two Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry, who were killed in a car accident this past March.

As a Christian chaplain it would seem fitting that I concern myself with teaching Soldiers about loving one another. Sometimes God decides to use what I think is my good deed to teach me about others instead. This weekend I became a student again.

Lesson 1: Maintain brotherhood (and sisterhood)

It all started the day before the race while touring our beautiful capital. We stopped at the World War II memorial. Scattered all over the memorial were several WWII veterans being escorted by nurses and volunteers from the South Dakota branch of the Freedom Honor Flight organization. Immediately  Jenkins and I were drawn to an old man in a wheelchair who was gazing at the beautiful sights. We knew right away this was a man from a generation that helped define honor.

As Jenkins thanked the hero for his service, the veteran shouted to me “Hey Airborne!” (I was wearing an airborne sweatshirt) to which I replied, “All the way, Sir!”

Now, I’m only a 5-jump chump, yet this American hero didn’t care. Brotherhood isn’t about details. It’s about one team, one fight.

We stood there in the sunshine for a while listening to his stories of the Philippines, airborne jumps and the buddies he’d lost along the way. What a start to an amazing weekend. His nurse said we made his day just by listening and being his “younger brothers,” but I believe that when he shook our hands, he in turn made ours.

That evening, Team TAPS held a pasta dinner, at which the survivors, friends and comrades shared stories about their fallen heroes. Dinner was a solemn occasion full of bittersweet stories of tremendous loss and resilience in the face of pain. The wonderful tales of families supporting families only made the ethos, “I will never leave a fallen comrade,” resound more true. Is also reminded me that it’s not just the service member who serves. What brotherhood!

Lesson 2: Treasure the heart of reverence

The next morning was absolute organized chaos: 50,000 people scattered all over the place. There was country music blaring from one tent, combatives demonstrations at another, rock’n’roll blasting in the distance, the Old Guard Band playing at the starting line, and the chatter of excited runners filled the air. The atmosphere was thick with patriotism. As the start time approached and the massive herd of 30,000 runners migrated through the rows of tents toward the starting gates, it reminded me of the end of a Broncos game at Mile High Stadium after a win (I had to draw on the ol’ memory for the win part). Then one of the most amazing things happened: the Star Spangled Banner started.

Why was this national anthem so amazing? Because never have I seen a chaotic mass of more than 50,000 turn silent and still so fast – in an instant. I was floored! Where else in this country would you find so many young adults in a social environment and on an adrenaline-induced high show such reverence for our nation? Usually, at a sporting event you’ll see someone with his or her hat still on, others still trying to get to their seats, some just standing in line twiddling their thumbs – and still some not even standing. Not this time. Thousands stood frozen and silent – a true moment of admiration.

While I stood there motionless listening to the Star Spangled Banner I couldn’t help but wish that this kind of respect transcended beyond just those who serve but to the greater population.

Lesson 3: Cheer for your heroes

As I was approaching mile 9, I could see one of the wounded warriors running about 200 meters ahead of me. His gait was unique. He was a double amputee running on two prosthetic legs. He looked exhausted, he was soaked in sweat, but I could feel his determination in the air. I thought, what a perfect example of our Warrior Ethos, “I will never quit!” I was proud to be in his race. What a hero: a young man who felt strongly enough about what he believed in to fight for it. Not only did he wager with his life, he paid for our freedom – the freedom of a country he’d never been to and a people he’d never met – with both of his legs.

Yet there he was, still running on the bridge over the Potomac River, which marked the final stretch of the race. The bridge was steep and slick in places. With two prosthetic legs I couldn’t imagine the difficulty. Yet, he pushed on. Then he slipped and fell. What happened next brought tears to my eyes. Almost everyone near him, forsook their scores, stopped their own races and helped him up.

The Bible talks about this very issue, God calls for the faithful to throw off what holds them back and run with perseverance toward his righteousness. The verse says God’s faithful can run with perseverance because they have a cloud of witnesses. I’ve never seen such a clear example.

As I got closer to the young man he rose up and stood. The air that was once filled with huffs and puffs of exhaustion began booming with, “Come on brother!” “Keep it up hero!” “You can do it!” and many more encouragements. Powered by our cheers, I watched as he lifted up his prosthetic foot and began to run again! The entire bridge full of runners erupted in a roar! Overwhelmed, I nearly hurt my hands I was clapping so hard. What courage!

I will never forget my first Army Ten-Miler race. The experience was more than physical; it was spiritual. God taught me about His wonderful creation called love throughout the race weekend. I look forward to running in the Shadow Ten-Miler in Afghanistan this coming year and many more races in our nation’s capital for years to come. It is such a privilege and honor to run with so many Soldiers and service-minded souls. I’m proud to be a Citizen-Soldier in the Colorado Army National Guard.

If someone were to ask me, “What can someone gain by running 10 miles besides being further down the road?” I might respond, “I learned the eternal importance of maintaining brotherhood, reviving reverence, and cheering for our heroes.”