wear blue: run to remember and Wounded Warrior Project came together at the Rock ’n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon on Jan. 18 to create a powerful space of remembrance and healing through the wear blue Mile.
The event honored fallen service members while supporting wounded warriors, their families, and the broader military community. A mile-long corridor was lined with Faces of the Fallen tribute posters, inviting runners, volunteers, and spectators alike to pause, reflect, and remember.
Andrew Coughlan, regional director at WWP, said for many warriors the Mile provides a space to honor the loss of their fellow service members while experiencing the support and connection of a larger community.
“WWP and wear blue working together during the Rock ’n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon is exactly what should happen when serving veterans and families,” he said. “There were so many powerful moments — from hearing stories of volunteers to watching veterans and surviving family members connect with one another. I know without a doubt that healing took place this past weekend.”
According to organizers, planning for the Mile begins months in advance of the actual race. Families from across the country submit poster requests, each telling a story of a life lived in service and a legacy that deserves to be remembered. Posters this year spanned generations, beginning with Sgt. Fred Brock, the first Buffalo Soldier killed in World War II, and continuing through the most recent losses of Sgt. William N. Howard and Sgt. Edgar B. Torres-Tovar, who were killed in action on Dec. 13, 2025.
To learn more about wear blue: run to remember visit here. For more on Wounded Warrior Project, visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.