Editor:

Hi I’m Alan R. Dyer of 9 Katherine Rd., Rehoboth MA and I am running the 2015 Boston Marathon for Fisher House Boston.

A little something about me: I am married to Arline (38 yrs), a father, (2 boys Jared 36 & Joshua 31), a grandfather (Luke 4 and Emma 2). I am also a veteran (USCG 1974 – 1978), and Arline and I rescue mini Schnauzers. We have lived in Rehoboth Ma, for 30 yrs.

Why Am I running the Boston Marathon? If you ask Arline she will tell you “because he is crazy and not that bright”. She may finally be right. I tell her it’s just so I can get out of the house for a little while (only joking). Actually we can blame Mark Langley.

When I was much younger I was a long distance runner, running many half marathons, and 10 milers, but never had the opportunity to run a marathon. Then the lower back went (surgery required), then the left knee, then the right (no surgery yet just lots of ice). It just hurts to get old and my running stopped. The Boston Marathon was always a dream that just seemed to have slipped away.

Mark Langley: I met Mark at a local Boxing Gym were we worked out together, became trainers there, we’ve done Tough Mudders together, became close friends, and he got me back into running. He asked me to join his 9 member relay running team, to run from Hull to PTown (200 miles) and raise money for Fisher House Boston. I actually ran that race 4 weeks out from neck surgery (C3&4 fused). I ran in a neck brace I (I have the photos to prove it). Mark had my Physical Therapist and Chiropractor run as part of the team so they could keep an eye on me and keep me moving. And yes it still hurts to run.

When Mark approached me and said he may be able to get a bib for the Boston Marathon. I jumped at the chance. As I had said running the Boston Marathon has always been a dream and now the dream will become reality but it will also be a great honor. But with great honor comes great responsibility.

Why Fisher House Boston? This is simple; they have the bib to give out (lol). But seriously, when Jen Deluca, Executive Director Fisher House Boston got the 4 bibs she thought of 4 people to give the bibs to, and I am truly honored and humbled to be one of them. But again with great honor comes great responsibility; the 4 of us have to raise a good deal of money for Fisher House Boston. Actually raising the money for this great organization may be the easiest part of all of this.

For those of you who do not know what Fisher House Boston does; Fisher House Boston is a home away from home where our military families can stay while a loved one is receiving in house treatment at one of our medical centers in the Boston Area. Any family member or loved one of an active military or Veteran's family, wartime or peacetime, is eligible to stay at the Fisher House. Fisher House Boston’s mission is to be responsive to the needs of our guests and go above and beyond what the VA can provide. They strive to meet the basic comfort needs of our guests, as well as enhance the healing and supportive environment of the house, during some of the most difficult times in our guest lives.

Fisher House Boston is the one veteran charitable organization that is actually engaged in the care, feeding, and well-being of our nation’s most precious treasure; the men, women and their families who have served us and our country so selflessly and so bravely.

What you can do to help? As I said I am honored to train and run for the veteran men, women and families that Fisher House Boston cares for. I will do the training, ice the knees, the neck, the back (oh I forgot to mention the left hip) and run. All I ask is that you click the link below and make whatever donation you can for this truly worthwhile organization. Again any donation large or small makes a huge difference.

Also when you see my on the back roads just give me a little space. Thanks

https://www.crowdrise.com/fisherhouseboston2015/fundraiser/alandyer

Thank you so much for your support.

Alan R. Dyer