Kudos to the Juniors for encouraging women’s fitness through the Firefly 5K. It’s no secret that exercising is easier and more fun with friends.

Four members of the Los Gatos chapter spent an hour Friday morning, July 24, 2020, walking the track at Leland High School’s Pat Tillman Stadium. As early birds, we were the first ones out. Socially distancing was easy on the wide, smooth track. The 12 laps flew by as we walked and talked on a beautiful day in Silicon Valley. Although it was the Firefly 5K that got us to put on our walking shoes, we had so much fun that word spread. Three more joined us the following week, and we hope to continue through the summer. Walkers move at their own speed and set individual goals. Afterwards we cool down with a socially distanced visit underneath the parking lot solar panels in chairs brought from home.

While we were enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, we remembered Pat Tillman’s heroic legacy. Pat was a Bret Harte Middle School and Leland High School graduate who played football for Leland. He excelled in football on the same field where we walked. Pat turned away from a promising professional NFL career to serve his country in the aftermath of 9/11. He was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.