1hundred100s4dexter & veteran suicide awareness

Dexter was an amazing soul. Independent, loving, hilarious, sensitive, with the gentle heart of a poet, musician & artist. A daddy, brother, son, and a US Marine. During training on active duty Dexter had an onset of what was later diagnosed as bipolar1 and schizoaffective disorder and started suffering severe bouts of suicide ideation. Within a year he lost his life to suicide. On 2-25-2018 he returned home to his loving Heavenly Father and those who loved him most are left behind trying to make meaning of our loss. Dexter's biggest dream after losing his career, self respect, and ability to be the father he wanted to be, was to do something to help those suffering from mental illness. In honor of his dream and in fondest memory of him, I am going to run One hundred 100 mile ultramarathons to raise awareness for mental illness, veteran suicide awareness & prevention. This requires some travel, race fees, basic equipment and dozens of pairs of running shoes! I'm hoping to finish by the 10th anniversary of his deah, currently on track with #92 upcoming. I had the great opportunity to have my name drawn in a lottery to run UTMB, the Superbowl of ultrarunning, which takes place in Chamonix, France, Spain and Switzerland. A European race is out of my budget but taking Dexter and the other Marines I carry to such a notable course is a dream come true., as #96. All funds raised will go to support this stretch of ultramarathons. If there is a surplus, it will be donated to 22 too many.

I miss Dexter so much. He is still a part of my life and it's my hope and prayer that by running these races, his memory and goodness will live on, and maybe make a difference to someone else who needs the help that he didn't get in time.

Please if you know someone who may be suffering, ask them if they have a suicide plan. Encourage them to call the suicide prevention hotline. 988. Take them to the ER.

Dexters life mattered. Their lives matter. Help #stopsuicide.