I have a confession: I’m not a marathon runner. I used to be a sprinter—400s and 800s were my game. But at 68, the sprint is gone, and the "shuffle" has arrived.

So why on earth am I signing up for 26.2 miles?

Because our wounded veterans don’t get to quit when things get hard.

I am running the 2026 Marine Corps Marathon to raise money for the Semper Fi & America’s Fund. They are an A+ rated charity that provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to combat-wounded veterans from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

I’m running in honor of my late father, Capt. Theodore Lloyd, a Navy pilot and last commander of the VA-23 Black Knights. If you visit the Midway Museum in San Diego, check out the A4 painted in VA-23 colors.  My dad actually flew that plane off of Oriskany in 1969.  I’m running because I can, and so many of our returning heroes physically can’t. And, so many of our heroes never had the chance to come home.

My goal is $1,250. Every dollar goes directly to helping a veteran get the care, housing, or adaptive equipment they need.

Help me turn my "shuffle" into a stampede of support.

Thank you, Ted Lloyd

Semper Fi & America’s Fund cares for our Nation’s critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families. Supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, we provide one-on-one case management, connection, and lifetime support. Today. Tomorrow. Together.

• Semper Fi & America’s Fund is A+ rated from CharityWatch — their highest rating.

• Semper Fi & America’s Fund ensures our combat wounded, critically ill, and catastrophically injured U.S. service members and military families experience the appreciation and respect of our supporters. Our warriors and their families will achieve the highest possible quality of life and independence in a loving, caring, and committed community and will not be forgotten on their road to recovery and beyond.

• Semper Fi & America’s Fund manages and operates diverse, comprehensive programs in the areas of Service Member and Family Support, Transition, and Integrative Wellness through a “needs-based” approach. All grants are delivered through a one-on-one case management relationship, the result of which is life-changing and lifesaving.

• Semper Fi & America’s Fund employs a powerful holistic approach, integrating physical, mental, and emotional recovery through powerful therapies and innovative technologies, which most often leads to both healing and post-traumatic growth.

• To date, Semper Fi & America’s Fund has provided ongoing assistance to over 37,000 service members, veterans, and military families.

Thank you for supporting Semper Fi & America's Fund and for helping those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom!