On 9 March 2010, wear blue: run to remember was founded following the redeployment of 5-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team to their home station of Joint Base Lewis McChord. While deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the 1-17 Infantry Battalion, Buffalos, sustained significant combat losses and casualties. During that deployment, a small group of 5-2 wives and battalion staff met weekly to run, creating a support network for one another during this challenging and heartbreaking deployment. wear blue co-founder and current Executive Director, Lisa Hallett, lost her husband, CPT John Hallett, when he and three other soldiers were killed on August 25, 2009, while returning from a goodwill mission in Southern Afghanistan. The Hallett children were young when John was killed – 3 years, 1 year, and only three weeks old. John never met his youngest child. A lifelong runner, Lisa turned to running and community to navigate this incredibly difficult time, and work through her grief and loss.

When the brigade returned, Lisa and fellow Army wife, Erin O’Connor, turned this small group into a nationwide organization that now helps thousands across the country heal from the devastating effects of the loss of a military loved one.

The original wear blue runners wore blue Buffalo PT (physical training) shirts when they were running together while their spouses were deployed from 2009-2010. Blue shirts are now worn as a tribute to the  5-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

When an individual dons a wear blue: run to remember shirt, they are indicating their support of our service members, veterans, and their families, and their commitment to ensuring that our fallen service members will always be remembered.

Today, wear blue honors all members of the military who pass away while in service and has evolved into a powerful network of currently serving, veterans, military families, Gold Star and surviving families, and community members.