My name is Shawn Patterson and I cannot be more excited to be the 2023 Legacies Alive Challenger! I am a husband, a father, a dedicated first responder, and like so many of you who have served our Country, a proud US Army Veteran.

As an Army Ranger, I deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of combat operations with the 75th Ranger Regiment. I fought alongside our friends and family members for a just cause. The victories we saw on the battlefield achieved several strategic objectives, but that came at a price.

During my first deployment to Afghanistan in 2011, two of my close friends were killed in action—US Army Sergeant Tyler Holtz and Specialist Ricardo Cerros, Jr. For the last decade I have struggled with how to honor them as men of courage, honor, and conviction who sacrificed everything so their fellow Soldiers could make it home alive. They are loved and missed every day by those who knew them, most of all by their families.

This year I am partnering with Legacies Alive, an organization focused on supporting our Nation’s Gold Star Families, by undertaking the 2023 Legacies Alive Challenge. On September 24, 2023, the 12th anniversary of Tyler’s death, I will begin a 425-mile, fourweek hike from Tyler’s hometown of Dana Point, CA and finish in Ricardo’s hometown of Salinas, CA. My mission is to honor, celebrate, and pay tribute to not just Tyler and Ricardo, but to all have died in service to our Nation.

Please join me on this journey as I seek to raise awareness around the sacrifices our Gold Star Families have made as well as raise funds to erect permanent memorials to honor these Heroes. I look forward to taking this trek with you!