Back Channels | 'The Willing Few' are racing to aid Marines
Richard Junod and companions have entered a marathon to raise money for wounded warriors.

By Kevin Ferris

Inquirer Commentary Page Editor
Richard Junod is coming out of retirement.

He spent years as a teacher and administrator. First as a Marine instructor, and later in Philadelphia, serving in places ranging from from juvenile-detention facilities to charter schools in his 32-year career.

But Doc - as he's known because of his doctorate in education - isn't returning to the classroom. He's on the road. Running. For hours on end, including a recent 20-miler, all in training for his sixth marathon.

At age 66, this isn't for fun or a personal-best time. He achieved that in Chicago in 1999, coming in at 3:59:16.

"I'd always wanted to do a marathon in under four hours," he says. "I did, and I swore, 'Never again.' " As he says, it's time to "undo that swear."

So Junod and the team of friends and relatives he's recruited are training for the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 28. It's a scenic but grueling 26.2 miles that takes runners past most of the major monuments in Washington and neighboring Virginia. The finish line, appropriately enough, is the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, a.k.a. the Iwo Jima statue.

And at that statue, the Willing Few, as Junod has branded his team, will turn over the money they've raised to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Started three years ago, the fund helps wounded Marines, sailors and their families with expenses incurred while visiting loved ones undergoing care or during rehabilitation and transition. It also contributes to the purchase of specialized equipment, home renovations or adapted vehicles.

About half of Doc's team have marathon experience. Christian Brother Paul Joslin of New Jersey has run the most - 23. The rest are rookies. The team includes a Weichert sales manager, an accountant, a teacher, a labor arbitrator and two Pennsylvania state representatives, Greg Vitali (D., Delaware) and Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster).

The original band of about 12 has been thinned by injuries. Doc hasn't been hurt but admits that training for another marathon isn't easy.

"As you get older, it gets harder to put the bones down on the ground," he says.

This all started last November, during a casual conversation between Junod and his neighbor and sometime running partner, Walt DeTreux. Junod learned that Walt's brother Ken was a Marine officer on his third deployment in as many years (two in Iraq, one in Afghanistan).

The lessons instilled in basic training decades ago about accepting responsibility and coming to the aid of a fellow Marine kicked in. How could Junod help Lt. Col. DeTreux and the men of the 2d Battalion, 8th Marines, who were then based outside Fallujah?

The two runners, along with Doc's son-in-law Bill Hang, quickly connected the marathon with a plan to raise funds for DeTreux's wounded. But DeTreux went them one better. He'd seen how well his men were cared for by the Semper Fi Fund and suggested supporting that group instead.

So far, they're just above $19,000 in donations, with most sponsors putting up between $25 and $50. Their original goal was $10,000, which they should easily double with nine days of fund-raising to go.

Doc is pleased by the variety of donors: union workers recruited by his brother Jerry, an 11-year-old girl who gave all the money she had - $8 - to "save Marines," even legislators and staffers in Harrisburg.

Vitali signed up after seeing a Willing Few brochure in the state Capitol. As an experienced runner, he originally focused on the physical challenge of what would be his 11th marathon. But once he started fund-raising, he learned there was more to this race. Along with their donations, people would tell of a son or brother overseas. They kept saying: "I'm really glad you're doing this."

"I started getting a lot of positive feedback from people," he says.

For Walt DeTreux, the marathon - his first - is a way to honor the service of his brother and others.

"The guy's doing a lot for his country and we're sitting back in the comforts of home," Walt says. "This allows me and the people running with us and supporting us to contribute somewhat."

For Doc, the marathon simply means accepting responsibility: You support those who responded when called.

"That's the culture of the Corps," he says, adding: "We have to do more for them. God knows they're doing so much for us."
To Contribute

Send checks made out to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (with "The Willing Few" on the memo line) to Richard J. Junod, 13046 Richwood Rd., Philadelphia 19116.

If looking for other ways to support members of the military and their families, visit go.philly.com/troopsupport.

Contact Kevin Ferris at 215-854-5305 or kf@phillynews.com.

Ellie