45th Marine Corps Marathon

James served with 3rd Battalion 8 Marine Regiment (3/8), Weapons Company, from 2004 to 2008, and deployed to Iraq twice, to Fallujah in 2005 and Ramadi in 2006. During his deployments, 3/8 lost 25 Marines and Sailors who were killed during combat operations. James wants to dedicate his first MCM to raise awareness about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and raise money for a veteran charity that assists veterans working on their recovery. 

Bart served with 3rd Battalion 8 Marine Regiment (3/8), Weapons Company, from 2004 to 2008, and deployed to Iraq to Fallujah in 2005 and Ramadi in 2006. During his deployments, 3/8 lost 25 Marines and Sailors who were killed during combat operations. Bart decided to run 25 MCM to honor his 25 brothers-in-arms who paid the ultimate price. Bart is running his seventh Marine Corps Marathon, and this year he is dedicating his race to his friend, LCpl Jacob W. Beisel, who was killed in Ramadi, Iraq 2006.

About LCpl Jacob W. Beisel – September 27, 1984 – March 31, 2006:

21, of Lackawaxen, PA.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Weapons Company, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died March 31 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq. Jacob joined the Marines in September of 2003, a few months after graduating from Wallenpaupack Area High School and served as a 0341 Infantry Mortarman with 3/8 Weapons Company. He was a fun-loving and a goofball who got along with everybody. It didn't matter what clique you were in, Jacob got along with everyone. He had planned to attend college after leaving the military. During winters, Jacob hunted in the woods surrounding his home, and during summers, he would dive into a river with a spear and resurface with a fish. He was a straight-A student, but family members say they never saw him crack a book. From his childhood, he wanted to be a Marine. After joining USMC, Jacob deployed three times; Operation Secure Tomorrow in Port au Prince, Haiti, 2004, Operation Iraqi Freedom in Fallujah 2005, and Ramadi 2006. He was the first KIA sustained by 3/8 during the Ramadi 2006 deployment. He is survived by his parents, Albert and Mary, a younger sister, Amanda, and left behind many family and friends who have missed him deeply.

Burial Site:

Lackawaxen and Union Cemetery 

Lackawaxen, Pike County

Pennsylvania, USA

Jesse served with 2nd TSB, Combat Logistic Regiment 2, from 2015 to 2020. He also is continuing to serve with Army National Guard. Jesse wants to dedicate his first MCM to help raise awareness about suicide prevention in the veteran community and raise money for a veteran charity that assists those who are working on their recovery.