Support for the Military at the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Dec 26, 2012

Tim Maloney: The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is an iconic event in this city. This is our 35th anniversary of the race this year. As part of Bank of America’s nationwide “Express Your Thanks” campaign, we’re going to be recognizing members of our military, our veterans, and their families. We’re asking the citizens of the city of Chicago to stop by and sign a water bottle expressing their thanks for the military. For every water bottle that is signed, we’re donating one dollar to Wounded Warrior Project.

Al Giordano: At Wounded Warrior Project we serve our veterans in variety of ways. We take the holistic wrap-around approach, which means we like to engage them on mind, body and economic impairment. That means we want to assist them with any mental health issues, we certainly want to assist them in ongoing periods of physical rehabilitation and to keep them physically fit. And on economic impairment, that means education, training, and quality employment.
Anthony Salguero: The reason why I love this program so much is because it brings everything together. Anywhere from our associates doing our part to our clients knowing that they’re contributing to a great cause, and contributing to the community and the country.

Jamie Tolbert: I came in to show our troops that we are really appreciative of them making our country safe. They are true heroes. I don’t know who came up with this idea, but it’s awesome.

Tim Maloney: We’re gathering all of those water bottles up and we’re creating a very large patriotic mosaic to be on display at our health and fitness expo at McCormick Place.
Norbie Lara: Wounded Warrior Project cannot function without the support of folks like Bank of America. So when it comes to how grateful I am, I would shout it from the mountain tops. Thank you so much.

Jeff Cathey: If we can get veterans back, welcome them, get them into a home, get them on a college campus, get them working and get them to be contributing members of society, and let them know that we not only appreciate their service, but we’re partnering with them. And to give a member financial independence gives them a lot of latitude in their future lives, for them and their family on where they’re headed.

John Karlin Hayes: Achilles International is a nonprofit organization that was founded by an amputee who wanted not just veterans, but other disabled people, to come out there and participate in these events. And he looked around and realized he was the only one doing this. So he started the foundation to provide that ability. I was a man that could carry my entire family on my back and provide for them. And then I got knocked down and needed support. You show the American people that you don’t need to feel sorry for us, but you can help us out. You can support us there and be there on race day. It means a lot to me.

Tim Maloney: The last mile of the race is the Military Mile. We’re decorating it with a cheer zone to really demonstrate our thanks and appreciation for members of the military as the race comes to its conclusion at the 26th mile mark.

Will Beiersdorf: It’s almost like coming home after you’ve done your mission. And you get to that last mile. You got the whole town there. And they’re there to say thank you. And I think that’s a very special thing that has been brought together. We’re just really thankful for everybody that’s there cheering us on.

Michael Kacer: The crowd down the stretch means everything to me. So for Bank of America setting up this Military Mile, and seeing the crowd actually come out and hold the flags and support us all. I’m just stoked to be a part of it and run it and leave it all out there.

Bank of America has long supported our service members in the military, assisting returning veterans with jobs, housing and education. This commitment was in evidence this year at the 35th Bank of America Chicago Marathon, where the bank supported events and nonprofits that make a positive impact on the lives of veterans and their families.

Every year since 2008, Bank of America has hosted the Achilles Freedom Team (AFT) of Wounded Veterans at the race. The AFT is a rehabilitation program that trains and sponsors wounded servicemen and women to compete in mainstream races as part of their recovery, helping them rebuild their strength and confidence. The Achilles program is adapted to the specific needs of wounded members of the U.S. military; participants get training and use of specialized adaptive devices such as hand-cycle wheelchairs so they can participate in races.

At the event, and in banking centers across Chicago, many joined the bank in their effort to support service members and veterans. Thousands of people expressed their thanks to the troops by signing water bottles; these were combined in a visual mosaic which was displayed at McCormack Place and in Chicago-area banking centers. For each signed bottle, and for other expressions of thanks captured across the country, the bank donated a dollar to Wounded Warrior Project®. This raised over $320,000 in support of the organization’s programs that help veterans re-enter the workforce.

To allow spectators and runners to show their support for the military, the bank set up a “military mile” at the end of the race on the 26th mile to cheer for the runners. The last mile was lined with an enthusiastic crowd waving flags as the runners came down home stretch.

In addition to sponsoring events surrounding the race, Bank of America is a longtime supporter of the U.S. military through its hiring, specialized products and services, dedicated customer service team, and support of military-focused nonprofits. Says Jeff Cathey, Senior Military Affairs Executive at Bank of America, “Our strategy is to support active-duty servicemen and women, and their families, in the successful reintegration of veterans on all fronts—jobs, housing, and critical needs. They need to know that we’re here for them. This is not a one-time event at the Marathon. Bank of America is in it for the long haul.”

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Support for the Military at the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

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