DARLINGTON- Since July, Michael J. Gorham of Benton has been independently participating in the Naval Special Warfare Foundation's One Team One Fight-Lone Warrior Challenge.
The event has him biking, running, and swimming 1,000 miles to raise $1,000 for the fallen Naval Special Warfare Operators' families.
The Naval Special Warfare Foundation was established in 2000 to support the active duty U.S. Navy SEALs, Special Boat Teams and support personnel at NSW commands, as well as their families.
Its mission includes offering financial assistance and other benefits to these NSW families of those killed or wounded in duty. The foundation also awards scholarships for the children and spouses of active duty NSW servicemen as well as tuition assistance for the active duty member. Examples of support include immediate assistance for families of NSW active-duty members that are wounded or killed in combat or training, memorial services, assistance related to active duty or dependent terminal illness, and assistance in times of natural disaster.
As of the end of October, Gorham has cycled and ran a combine total of 402 miles raising approximately $738. He has bicycled and ran throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. Recently he competed in the 2010 National Tactical Officer's Association, 5k run in Pittsburgh PA.
He rode with the G.O.A.T.S. cycling club in their late August for Hospice of Dubuque riding 30 miles to Farley, Iowa.
Gorham is a 21-year veteran Law Enforcement officer and currently works as a deputy sheriff in Lafayette County. He has been a U.S. Coast Guard auxiliarist since 2008. He volunteers with the Benton, Cuba City, and Hazel Green EMS and served as a volunteer firefighter in South Wayne. He served in the Army from 1982 to 1985 and the Civil Air Patrol from 2002 to 2008. In 1984, he road-marched 47.1 miles to raise awareness and funds for the "Save the Lady" Campaign to restore the Statute of Liberty.
"In 2002, I met retired Navy SEALS John 'Jack' Lynch, Rudy Boesch (a contestant on CBS' "Survivor") and Richard 'Doc' Clark during a waterborne training exercise that was held along the Mississippi," Gorham said. "I was invited to dinner after the training and from that point we became friends".
The three introduced Gorham to the Naval Special Warfare Foundation; Gorham said participating in it is a way of honoring their friendship. Lynch died in March.
"I was speechless by the effort to support from my brother and sister deputies at the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office while taking on this endeavor," Gorham said. "In one instance, a deputy gave a $5l. He gave a dinner; to help a family out. He missed eating dinner to donate. That is what makes the deputies special, much of what they do goes without recognition.They are the tie that binds to the Naval Special Warfare Personnel selfless service."
For Gorham, participating is also an internal challenge because since birth, a medical condition has caused him to walk with a mild limp.
"People have made judgments based on perception and not reality, so in one aspect this is a challenge to demonstrate to people what a person is capable of regardless of what setbacks they might be faced with," Gorham said.
The event has him biking, running, and swimming 1,000 miles to raise $1,000 for the fallen Naval Special Warfare Operators' families.
The Naval Special Warfare Foundation was established in 2000 to support the active duty U.S. Navy SEALs, Special Boat Teams and support personnel at NSW commands, as well as their families.
Its mission includes offering financial assistance and other benefits to these NSW families of those killed or wounded in duty. The foundation also awards scholarships for the children and spouses of active duty NSW servicemen as well as tuition assistance for the active duty member. Examples of support include immediate assistance for families of NSW active-duty members that are wounded or killed in combat or training, memorial services, assistance related to active duty or dependent terminal illness, and assistance in times of natural disaster.
As of the end of October, Gorham has cycled and ran a combine total of 402 miles raising approximately $738. He has bicycled and ran throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. Recently he competed in the 2010 National Tactical Officer's Association, 5k run in Pittsburgh PA.
He rode with the G.O.A.T.S. cycling club in their late August for Hospice of Dubuque riding 30 miles to Farley, Iowa.
Gorham is a 21-year veteran Law Enforcement officer and currently works as a deputy sheriff in Lafayette County. He has been a U.S. Coast Guard auxiliarist since 2008. He volunteers with the Benton, Cuba City, and Hazel Green EMS and served as a volunteer firefighter in South Wayne. He served in the Army from 1982 to 1985 and the Civil Air Patrol from 2002 to 2008. In 1984, he road-marched 47.1 miles to raise awareness and funds for the "Save the Lady" Campaign to restore the Statute of Liberty.
"In 2002, I met retired Navy SEALS John 'Jack' Lynch, Rudy Boesch (a contestant on CBS' "Survivor") and Richard 'Doc' Clark during a waterborne training exercise that was held along the Mississippi," Gorham said. "I was invited to dinner after the training and from that point we became friends".
The three introduced Gorham to the Naval Special Warfare Foundation; Gorham said participating in it is a way of honoring their friendship. Lynch died in March.
"I was speechless by the effort to support from my brother and sister deputies at the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office while taking on this endeavor," Gorham said. "In one instance, a deputy gave a $5l. He gave a dinner; to help a family out. He missed eating dinner to donate. That is what makes the deputies special, much of what they do goes without recognition.They are the tie that binds to the Naval Special Warfare Personnel selfless service."
For Gorham, participating is also an internal challenge because since birth, a medical condition has caused him to walk with a mild limp.
"People have made judgments based on perception and not reality, so in one aspect this is a challenge to demonstrate to people what a person is capable of regardless of what setbacks they might be faced with," Gorham said.