Running a triathlon is an admirable feat for anyone based on the level of endurance alone, but when you add to it the ability to support veterans it turns into a mission.
This is the fifth year for the Matt Mason Memorial "Cowboy Up" Triathlon.
Matt Mason is a Navy SEAL from Missouri who was killed in 2011 while on a mission in Afghanistan. His friends have been swimming, biking, running and giving in his honor ever since.
Steve Zimmer helped organize the triathlon. He describes Mason as a kind, humble man who loved his family and running triathlons.
"We didn't want to be mourning every year around this time; so naturally he was a triathlete, so we said let's do a triathlon," said Zimmer.
This year's triathlon also included a partnership with Cars for Heroes to giveaway a car to a deserving veteran. Gary Iske, a bronze star Vietnam veteran was that veteran.
He was surprised with a white wheelchair accessible mini van to allow his to transport his electric wheelchair.
"It changes my life completely. I can go anywhere. This is super," said Iske.
Iske's close friend, Bill Gilpatrick, submitted Iske's name to Cars for Heroes for consideration. He fought back tears as he talked about how the minivan would change his life.
"In order for me to take him anywhere I have to push him around in his car. It doesn't give him any real freedom to do what he wants to do," said Gilpatrick.
The Matt Mason Memorial "Cowboy Up" Triathlon hopes to raise $100,000 to fund it two scholarships and help more local veterans and their families.
Lisa Benson can be reached at lisa.benson@kshb.com.
