Saturday, November 14, 2009

Half-Marathon Day

At the conclusion of the Richmond Half-Marathon today, we were able to donate $1,105 to the Wounded Warrior Project in memory of Seth! Thanks to all of you who contributed!

Here are a few pictures from Team X-TREME running...the group Rush ran with in memory of Seth.



Team X-TREME in action.




A post-race shot of Team X-TREME.



Thankful for Seth's sacrifice.



A few GERMAN Club men supporting the cause. Thank you guys for coming out! It meant a lot to see you there.






Sunday, November 1, 2009

Captain David "Seth" Mitchell USMC, son of Steve and Connie Mitchell and brother of Drew Mitchell all of Cary was killed in a helicopter collision while on duty in Afghanistan October 26, 2009. Captain Mitchell was stationed at Camp Pendleton CA and was part of the Marine Corp HMLA 367 Scarface unit. Captain Mitchell piloted an AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter.

Seth Mitchell was born in Charlotte NC and graduated from Loveland High School in Loveland Ohio in 1997. Seth called Loveland home because that is where he developed lifelong friendships and the skills, talent and character traits that guided his life. One turning point in Seth's life was getting involved with Student Venture, the high school ministry of the Campus Crusade for Christ. Seth found his spiritual compass and developed leadership skills that would serve him well in future endeavors. At Loveland High Seth played football, ran track and was elected president of his senior class. After high school Seth enrolled at Virginia Tech and earned an ROTC scholarship after his freshman year. He pursued his dream of becoming a Marine through the ROTC program transitioning from Virginia Tech ROTC directly into the Marine Corp in 2001.

Upon graduating from OCS Captain Mitchell was assigned to Camp LeJeune, NC. While at Camp LeJeune he served tours in Okinawa, Haiti and Iraq as part of an infantry unit. Growing up he had dreamed of becoming a pilot but did not qualify for the military aviation program due to his eyesight. After corrective eye surgery and while stationed at Camp LeJeune Captain Mitchell pursued and achieved his private pilots license. Due to his determination and diligence, Captain Mitchell beat long odds and was awarded a Marine Aviation training spot after four years in the Corp. Captain Mitchell started his flight training in Pensacola FL earning his wings in May 2007. He later qualified to fly the AH-1 Super Cobra Helicopter. Captain Mitchell had achieved and was living his dream of serving his country as a Marine aviator. Captain Mitchell loved to fly and did so during his second tour of Iraq in 2008. In very typical fashion, Captain Mitchell volunteered to report early to duty in Afghanistan to assist a unit short on manpower.

Captain Mitchell leaves behind a very proud family. Surviving are Grandparents; Nellie Gray Stewart and Joseph D. Mitchell (USN/WW II) of Winston-Salem NC; Uncles and Aunts, Larry Mitchell, Chris and Rhonda Mitchell, Jerry and Lynn Stewart, Steve and Dottie Stewart and Mark Stewart of Winston-Salem and Scott Snider of Lexington NC; Cousins, Matt and Paul Mitchell, Kari and Shane Hundley of Winston-Salem and Master-at-Arms 1st Class Chad Mitchell (USN) and wife Amanda, of Virginia Beach, VA.

Richmond 1/2 Marathon - Nov 14, 2009

On November 14 I will be running in the 2009 Richmond 1/2 Marathon as part of the Wounded Warriors Team. I will be attempting to raise money to donate to this very worthy cause in honor of Captain Seth Mitchell. Seth was a fellow Hokie and GERMAN Club member while I was at Tech. If you are interested, click on the 'Chip In' button on the right. I am suggesting a donation of $1 per mile I will run, or $13.10 total. Of course feel free to give more or less. Thanks for your support and for helping remember Seth. Rush