“Bonds Not Broken By Time”
DJO® Proudly Supports the U.S. Armed Forces
To show our appreciation for the men and women of the armed forces and highlight the importance of Memorial Day, DJO® proudly supported team Lowlife at the 11th Recon Challenge held at Camp Pendleton in California on May 16, 2019.
The Recon Challenge is a series of events across Camp Pendleton of reconnaissance Marines to commemorate fallen Marines of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. Participants run and swim more than 30 miles in the name of fallen Marines, paying tribute by hanging dog tags on the iconic battlefield cross at the finish line.
A Special Story to Tell: Meet Team Lowlife
From June to November 2010, 3rd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), Call Sign “Lowlife”, deployed a 23-man team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Platoon was awarded 15 Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars with combat Valor and 10 Navy Accommodation Medals with combat Valor. Nine years have passed since the deployment and many platoon members have departed from active duty. However, the strong bonds of brotherhood have remained.
Team Lowlife reunited at this year’s Recon Challenge and carried retired U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jon Blank, a double amputee who sustained his injuries during the noteworthy 2010 deployment. Throughout the years, Blank has remained an inspiration to all with his can-do attitude, tenacious will to succeed and his genuine enthusiasm to motivate others.
Team Lowlife from Left to Right: GySgt. Mark Rawson, GySgt. Andrew Perryman, MGySgt. Ret. Chris May, GySgt. David Ford, MSgt. Mark Little, GySgt. Matt Storment, MGySgt. Mike Brown, MGySgt. Bryan Maass, Sgt. Ret. Jared Johnson, Sgt. Ret. John Nelson, Staff Sgt. Ret. Adam Sorensen, GySgt. Roland LeBlanc, and Staff Sgt. Ret. Jon Blank
Left to Right: GySgt. Roland LeBlanc, DJO’s Nicole Johnson (LeBlanc) and Sgt. Ret. Jared Johnson
Led by Marketing Communications Manager Nicole Johnson (LeBlanc), DJO® provided team Lowlife with a special gift bag that included items from a number of DJO brands that can help with injuries sustained during their service; past and present. Thank you to all of our DJO brands who donated — Aircast®, Chattanooga®, Compex®, DonJoy®, DonJoy Performance® and Dr. Comfort®.
“Memorial Day is the perfect opportunity to remember and honor those, past and present, who have served in the Armed Forces,“ reminds Nicole. “As the proud wife and sister of two incredible U.S. Marines on team Lowlife, I was truly taken aback at the enthusiastic response I received from our DJO® brands to get involved and show their support. I am proud to work for a company that supports our local military heroes and I look forward to continuing to show our appreciation for their service.”