The life-changing power of Be the One
When Sam Washington crossed the red, white and blue arch, it was more than just a finish line for a 5K run-walk. It represented his personal defeat of stage 4 lung cancer, a journey that epitomizes veterans supporting veterans, Be the One and the strong bonds of a community.
Washington was among 90 participants at the fourth Celebrate America 5K, hosted by American Legion Post 180 in Vienna, Va., on June 29.
“I’m just so happy to be able to do this, it feels good to do anything like this,” the 75-year-old Army veteran said. “It was very nice with all the people out here.”
Washington is a cancer survivor, thanks to a recommendation from a nurse at his VA medical center, his good physical shape and a strong mindset. When he was diagnosed, his doctor said that the cancer was so advanced that if Washington had not sought treatment at that time, his life expectancy was two months.
“My doctor was shocked when he checked me out later,” he explained. “He said, ‘We can’t find cancer anywhere in your body.’ It had only been about 90 days. I was blessed.”
A friend of Washington’s, who is a retired Marine, promised to take him to every one of his radiation and chemo treatments. “It was a positive mindset,” he said. “I had some friends who didn’t have a positive mindset and I got away from them quick.”
The community fostered by American Legion Post 180 is amplified by the Be the One message, the primary message of the 5K.
Michael Paruti, post athletics director and Boys State chairman, explained that Washington followed through on a tip from a VA staff member on how to do a self-check. One day, Washington felt a spot on his chest that turned out to be the first sign of lung cancer.
“He was just so happy that a veteran helped him, he just wanted to help other veterans,” he explained, noting a grateful Washington presented a $250 check to the post. “That’s Be the One in a nutshell.”
Paruti was thankful for how the community support.
“The Be the One message is an active campaign,” he said. “I had a lot of people ask about it. Once they heard about it, they signed up.”
That was among the reasons why the number of participants tripled from last year, going from 30 to more than 90.
Post 180 was the first to purchase a Be the One post activation kit from Emblem Sales. There are three options available, including one designed for these events. It includes a pop-up banner with carrying case, 3-foot-by-5-foot flag and 100 coins, which were presented as finisher’s medals to the participants.
“The kit is absolutely worthwhile,” Paruti said. “Everyone saw the banner and I saw people scanning the QR code (to learn more about Be the One). It’s important to advertise this message and this is a very easy way to do so.”
The banner and flag can be used for additional post events.
(Right now the kits are available via Special Order at Emblem Sales. Visit Emblem Sales to see other Be the One items. Additionally, there are free promotional resources here including social media posts, wallet-sized cards, sample press releases, brochures, videos and more.)
“We’ll use this all the time — for Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Fourth of July events, monthly meetings,” he said. “It’s sturdy and a good product. If you are having any event, I’d recommend this. It was very easy.”
The event successfully promotes Be the One but also other post programs like Boys State, said Guillermo Guillen, post adjutant.
“This is a great event for the community of Vienna,” he said, noting the post is the oldest service organization in the town. “We explain what Be the One is to the community. This event today supports Be the One by not only getting awareness out there but demonstrating the other programs we support.”
The event’s success in promoting Be the One resonated with Guillen, who retired from the Army after 23 years.
“You don’t spend that long in the Army without having to deal with suicide,” he explained. “The last 20 years of war we had in Iraq and Afghanistan unfortunately produced a lot of events where people were just unwilling to continue. And I had those own thoughts myself.”
A core tenant of Be the One is to reassure veterans and servicemembers that it is “OK to not be OK.”
“When you learn to get over that hump, that mental block, you become aware of how you can share those experiences with other people,” Guillen said. “So the Be the One campaign is a great way to not only serve veterans but by sharing those personal experiences, it demonstrates how you were able to get past that and succeed and be still part of the community.”