Memory March for Gold Star Families

The MMMM is an annual military style ruck race through the mountains of East Tennessee 

Participants can sign up to run or march in our various races from a 5k to a full marathon. Each participant marches in honor of a fallen service member.  Gold Star families are invited, supported and honored with a special ceremony the night before the race. The Mountain Man Memorial March is a great way to put action to honor and support of our nations most treasured heroes - the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country and to the families who continue to carry their legacy forward.

Honoring Jason

This event is near and dear to my heart. My brother, Jason Dane Hovater was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2008, receiving the Silver Star for his actions that day. The battle in which he was lost,The Battle of Wanat, was one of the deadliest of the war and was followed by an Army investigation that left many families, soldiers, and leaders carrying unanswered questions, deep pain, and complicated emotions. My family, The Hovater family, after much prayer and reflection, chose forgiveness over bitterness — not because the story was simple, but because healing required it.

The Company Commander from Chosen Company, who led my brother and his fellow soldiers, is an important part of that story. Despite the difficult history surrounding that battle, Matthew Myer and my family have walked a path of reconciliation, respect, and mutual honor for the men who served and sacrificed. Mathew Myer and I will be speaking briefly at the April event to offer words of encouragement to the race participants, veterans (many from Jason's deployment), and especially the Gold Star families in attendance.

Together, we believe our shared perspective — one from a Gold Star family and one from military leadership - offers a powerful message of healing, unity, and honoring the fallen. While many of us will never again stand beside our loved ones, the room will be full of people who carry their legacy forward - and we want to encourage that sacred responsibility. Our goal is not to revisit controversy, but to honor the fallen by demonstrating what courage, humility, and reconciliation can look like in the aftermath of war. 

April 10-11th

This event in April creates the space for our family, military and beyond, to join once again in unity and honor and celebrate our hero.

https://www.mountainmanmemorialmarch.com/

A Sister's Promise

I'll leave you with words my brother shared with me before his final deployment, words that continue to guide me today. "Jess, don't let anyone forget me. Please tell your kids about me and don't let anyone forget me.” 

My brother, Corporal Jason Dane Hovater, local to East Tennessee, was part of Chosen Company, 2nd of the 503rd IN BN as part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, in Afghanistan. Chosen Company experienced several significant battles including the Ranch House and the Battle of Wanat. Looking back upon their 15 month deployment, it was determined the 140 man company was the most decorated in all of the Global War on Terror, with two Soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor, two awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, 17 awarded Silver Stars, and a third of the company awarded Purple Hearts, 16 of them posthumously. The entire unit was also recognized with the Presidential Unit Citation.   

This year’s Mountian Man Memorial March is expected to be a special time of honor and remembrance. 

This blog was a special contribution by Jessica, a Gold Star sister to Specialist Jason Hovater