A photo of two marathon runners, a marine and 9-year-old boy, immediately went viral on the internet after it was captured, and for all of the right reasons.
The marine was competing in a 5K marathon when he came across a child who was struggling to make it to the finish line.
Rather than passing them by, as many are prone to do, especially in a competition, he stopped competing and slowed down to run with the 9-year-old boy.
How it happened
Lance Corporal Myles Kerr was enjoying his leave and spending part of it running the 5K marathon in the town of Charlevoix in Michigan with some of his fellow marines. That was until he came across Brandon Fuchs.
Brandon had become separated from his own group and was struggling to keep up. The boy reached out to him for help, and he obliged. Instead of competing with the other marines, he decided to slow down, remain with the boy, and give him encouragement so that they could both cross the finish line together.
The reaction
The act of kindness did not go unnoted. It was picked up by the Seal of Honor Facebook page as well as several news outlets. The story was retweeted and shared all over the internet. The response was heartwarming. Everyone believed that he had made the right decision on that day.
Comments on YouTube were overwhelmingly positive. Many noted how seeing the picture had improved their day as well as their outlook, and even their hope for humanity.
“You know every day I have to deal over the phone with people who seem to think that everyone should drop everything and attend to their needs, no matter how trivial they are and no matter what else might be going on in the world around them. Sometimes, it is very hard to remain civil to them. So when I come across something like this, where someone gave up their time and aim for a child… well, I just love it. It reminds me that there are really nice people out there. thank you to that Marine.”
– redher
We all need a reminder now and then, especially if we don’t have the opportunity to see acts of kindness as frequently in our day to day lives. Perhaps this story can act as a reminder that it doesn’t take much to lift someone else’s spirits or offer encouragement. It’s something that each of us can do.
“I totally applaud what he did, but as for any man….he is certainly wrong about that one! it takes a certain kind of real man to put others before himself, especially in this context. this altruistic and heroic act would not been done by very many others. then, in true hero fashion, he downplays just how amazing of a man he must be.”
– Dubs J4
“Well done marine! show the world and our country that members of the military truly are the best amongst we the people….self sacrifice the key principle of all branches of the military.”
– abntemplar82
Here’s to one marine who was already a hero and is now even more of one! Thank you for making life a little better, one person at a time.
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