2nd Annual 4th of July 10-Mile Hump Honors Veterans
Tomorrow North Texas veterans and their families and supporters will be walking 10 miles to honor those who have served in US military organizations. This year Drs. Hunter and Bilhartz will be participating together with their little family. The march will kick off at 7:30 am at Mourning Dove Park at 11219 Round Mountain Drive in Frisco. There will be family entertainment provided by Bounce for Fun and GameTruck HQ, and refreshment provided by My Fit Foods.
A brief history: Last summer, former US Marine Sergeant Cliff Sosamon took the friendly challenge of Frisco City Councilman and friend Tim Nelson who just happened to be to Kandahar, Afghanistan at the time. Both men, looking to lose a couple pounds while supporting the other, agreed to do a 10-mile hump. (“Hump” is military slang for a training march performed while carrying a rucksack with 25 pounds or more of gear, a common exercise for active-duty servicemen and servicewomen.) They agreed they would each walk the 10 miles on Independence Day.
Through social media, word got out about the friends’ challenge, and as community interest swelled and this friendly became an event overnight! Rapidly other veterans signed up to walk with Cliff in Frisco—to show their support for Nelson as well as for the North Texas Military Association, a veterans’ support non-profit founded by Sosamon in 2012. Civilians and neighbors, including our very own Dr. Brent Bilhartz (link to your bio on LZP), got involved, planning water stations and organizing rest stops as the march group grew.
On July 4, 2012, thirty people in the North Texas hump group rendezvoused at Sosamon’s home in Frisco to review safety protocols and maps, then set out from the Panther Creek Estates neighborhood headed for a 5-mile mark in McKinney. Members of the US Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force were represented. 8,000 miles away, Tim Nelson did the hump with several soldiers from his unit, and created video of their march to share with the group back home in Frisco.
“We are thrilled to have Tim back with us, and this year the 4th of July 10-Mile Hump comes full circle. In 2012, we did it to show our support for his safe return. Now Tim will march alongside us—to send his support for the soldiers who are still deployed, and for all the Americans who are serving and have served our country,” Sosamon observed.
The 2013 4th of July 10-Mile Hump already has over 100 people registered to participate in this free, family, fun event designed to raise additional awareness about veterans, as well as funds for the NTXMA programming like the Warrior Mentors Program, and veteran tickets to the group’s annual military ball.
“The 4th of July 10-Mile Hump is free to march, but we’ve had so many people ask about how to get involved if they can’t attend. The support from the North Texas community has been overwhelming and we are grateful to partner this year with local businesses and donors,” Sosamon said.
“I can’t think of a better way to kick off my Independence Day celebration, than by attending this year’s hump. I’m ready to say thank you in person to all those who showed their support and friendship last year—to me, and to all who have served,” said Major Nelson.
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