In May 2010, U.S. Army veteran Catherine Bane and her husband, Marine Corps veteran Ray Bane, ran their first race with Hope For The Warriors at the Jacksonville Run For The Warriors. Little did Catherine know, this would be the start of her healing journey as a military sexual assault survivor.
Since then, this race has become an annual family tradition. Our organization has had the pleasure of watching Catherine run both while pregnant and later pushing her babies in strollers, all along still crushing her race times. Today, we get to watch them run 5Ks and compete as a family.
When the 15th Annual Jacksonville Run For The Warriors race was postponed from April 4th to November, Catherine and her family didn’t let their weeks of training go to waste. Instead, she and the kids set up their own 5K, chalked some inspiration on the course and ran for HOPE on the original race day!
Although Faith, John David and Brock were all too young (or not yet born) to remember their mom and dad’s service, they have a deep understanding of what it means to serve in the Armed Forces. Catherine and Ray openly chat as a family about their time in the Army and Marine Corps. Yet, beyond the home, this New Bern family is active in supporting fellow military families in the community, their peers in school and through Ray’s work as a Federal Firefighter at MCAS Cherry Point.
Hope staff had the opportunity to chat with the Faith, John David and Brock. In their own words, they shared just what their parents’ service means to them and why they love to give back to the military community through events like Run For The Warriors.
Interview with the Bane Kids:
Brock Bane, Age:8
What do you think of your mom and your dad’s service in the military?
I think it is awesome that they served in the military, and I am happy that they served. And I love them very much.
What has your parents’ service taught you?
It taught me to be a good person to everyone and to be loving and caring. And it has taught me to be strong and work hard.
Why do you feel people should support military and veteran communities?
They should support because they work hard, and they serve our country, so we should serve them. And we should serve their families because it is hard to be away from the people you love for a long time.
John David Bane, Age: 10
What do you think of your mom and your dad’s service in the military?
I am happy they served, and I am proud of them. I am glad that they served our country.
What has your parents’ service taught you?
Their service taught me discipline, kindness, how to serve others. It taught me it is important to put others above ourselves and that I want to be in the Marine Corps one day.
Why do you feel people should support military and veteran communities?
People should support them because they serve our country and protect our country, and you should support them because they supported you.
Faith Bane, Age: 12
What do you think of your mom and your dad’s service in the military?
I believe that serving our country is one of the best things you can do. So, I am very happy with my parents’ service.
What has your parents’ service taught you?
My parent’s service has taught me to put others before myself and discipline, above all else.
Why do you feel people should support military and veteran communities?
I feel people should support the military and veteran community because I’ve had friends whose parents were in the military, and it was hard for them not always having their parents around.
We hope you are inspired by these young warriors and will join them in sharing HOPE in your community. To stay up to date with HOPE happenings, click here.
During times of social distancing, you can make an impact on military families in your very own community by joining the Circle of Hope, a monthly giving program.