Sgt. 1st Class Michael Bloom, a reconnaissance platoon sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., marched the route in his army combat uniform with two American flags proudly displayed from the top of his heavy ruck sack Oct. 16 during the Inaugural Race for a Soldier half marathon. The marathon was founded by Leslie Mayne who tragically lost her son in 2009 due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder suffered from a deployment to Iraq in 2006. Proceeds from the event will go to support programs for soldiers to include; the Puget Sound Area USO, Hearbeat Serving Wounded Warriors, Horses For Heroes through Rainier Therapeutic Riding, and Canines and Heroes for Independence.