Marines bicycling cross-country in honor of fallen comrade.

2014-08-26T03:03:13-04:00

Hey all, I'm almost finished with my bicycling adventure across the country. We've raised over $14,200 for Child's Play Charity, all in honor of Lance Corporal Johnny Strong. It's been an amazing adventure and one frought with difficulties but we're three days away from our finish in Seattle.

If you'd like to check out pictures from our trip you can go to http://www.facebook.com/pax2pax. You can also buy some Pax2Pax shirts with the money going to Child's Play and each shirt entering you in to win some great prizes. You can see the shirt design at http://www.booster.com/pax2paxfinale

Semper Fi,
Junyer Knight

Pax2Pax: The Johnny Strong Charity Ride for Child's Play

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 26 at 2014 3:04 AM

2014-08-26T03:04:09-04:00

Semper Fi brother! Well done!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 5:28 AM

2014-08-26T05:28:39-04:00

That is tremendous Sgt Junyer Knight! LCpl Strong is honored and remembered indeed!

I always thought the Marines did esprit and camaraderie better than the Army, generally speaking. You just displayed more proof.

Semper Fidelis

Response by CMC Robert Young made Aug 27 at 2014 2:29 PM

2014-08-27T14:29:28-04:00

Good on you!!

Response by Sgt Junyer Knight made Aug 28 at 2014 12:01 PM

2014-08-28T12:01:12-04:00

We're heading into Seattle today for the last ride! Here's what I posted last night to Facebook:

"Today has been so surreal and for most of it I've been lost on how to feel. In the past 140 days so many different events, obstacles, successes, and social interactions have occurred. Tomorrow is the end of a journey that isn't measured in miles or days. I've held on to so much pain since Strong died ranging anywhere from blaming myself to wishing it had been me instead. That part of life is over.

For the past two weeks it's been as if a veil was lifted from my head. I have a life I am looking forward to living, I have a woman in my life I would do anything for, and to put it bluntly I've finally allowed myself to feel truly happy. I have the wherewithal to accept that a friend would be more concerned with the continued happiness and success of his buddies than the adulation any memorial to them could represent.

I do not think anyone, ever, should dwell on the pain remembered in the unchangeable past. This does not mean to forget what has brought us to the present but to respect ourselves enough to know that tomorrow is coming and we have the benefit of acting upon the world in a way that is admirable and kind. Johnny's legacy will not live on as a charity ride or beautiful granite stone. His legacy is us, his friends and family, and no matter how he may have affected our lives our actions carry a bit of him, and everyone else that has gone before us, with them."