The Goon Squad battled Boston and survived the battle.  I don’t think there was one Goon that did not finish.  Congratulations to all Goons for a great effort in very difficult conditions.  Super Goon Gold Stars to four Goons who ran great times through horrific heat. Taz (Jim Johnson), Cougar (Kelly Lecours), Bones (Frank Row) andThunder God (Thor Kirleis).  I know I was toast at mile 10 and have never seen so many runners walking and falling apart at mile 10.  It was the marathon of the walking dead.

Also huge congratulations to Renegade (Rick Bayko) for rowing 26.2 miles on his rowing machine  at his store in Newburyport during the marathon. He is a true Goon.

Taz                              Jim Johnson                 2:54:49

Cougar                         Kelley Lecours            3:19:56

Bones                          Frank Row                  3:27:31

Thunder God                  Thor Kirleis                 3:30:32

Silent Assassin            Brian Reeves               3:57:12

Disco                           Matt Demers               3:59:20

Cosmo                         Jason Kramer              4:20:37

Punisher                      Jen Popowicz              4:32:51

Manga                         Deb Johnson               4:37:40

Mamacita                    Cristina Winsor           4:30:15

Mad Dog                     Chris Russell               4:40:55

Doctor Death:-/           Chris Chetsas              4:42:56

Yeti                             Michael Robertson      4:57:39

Spitfire                        Lindsey Dionne          6:05:35

She Devil                    Michelle Greene          6:18:59

Tom Fleming "Tom" smoked the NYC Half in 1:27:16 and qualified for a guaranteed entry into NYC Marathon this fall. He plans to run marathons in Paris, NYC, and Boston.

Now we know why he was voted Most Improved Goon 2011!!!!

The 2^nd Annual Goon Hosted Run for the Troops 5K in Andover was a huge success thanks to the Race Director Wild Turkey (Bill Pennington) and all of the volunteers. It was a perfect day for a race and this year we had approximately 500 – 600 more runners than last year. Great job Wild Turkey !!!!

The Goon Squad was out of control as usual with Goons working and helping with the race. Our course monitors this year were Hill Checker & Wesley, The Enforcer, Mad Dog, Renegade, Yeti, Chopsticks, Codfather & Pammy Baby, and Mrs Triage.

All the Goons met at the start line and piled in the Goon Limo and were dropped off at their stations on the course. I had to get back to march the veterans to the start line with my bag pipe band The Campbell Highlanders of Andover. Thank goodness it was not windy because you never know what are under those kilts!!!

The band marched the veterans and dignitaries to the start for the pre race ceremonies and played as everyone took off and also stayed to play as the runners finished. I want to thank all my fellow band members for volunteering their time to play at this event. I know many people enjoyed the music.

The biggest highlight of the day was our own King Pin (Mike Colizzi) tackling the 5K course. Yes Goons, King Pin hit the pavement and ran the entire course. His first race ever and never quit! Also running was King Pin’s son Justin (AKA The Prince), King Pin’s workout buddy Dib Sarkis and Dib’s daughter Megan. Walking the course and supporting our troops were two Spice Girls, Candy Colizzi (AKA Candy Spice), Jeannie Asoian (AKA Fashion Spice) and a want to be Goon, Diane Bourgeois who ran and walked the course.

Once again on behalf of Goon Nation I want to thank all runners and walkers for coming out this past weekend in support of our troops. It was great to see our fellow Goon “Hero” Joe Smith and his beautiful wife Debbie who also ran the 5K. Hero and Debbie are in their new home and Hero is looking stronger than ever. This year Hero is planning on competing in swimming, archery and shooting. More to come on that.

God Bless American and God Bless our men and women who protect our freedom.

Join the Goon Squad on April 1, 2012 in the Run/Walk for the Troops 5K.

Help Homes for Our Troops Build a Specially Adapted Home For Sgt. Josh Bouchard

Marine Sergeant Joshua Bouchard was on his second deployment when he lost his left leg and broke his back after his vehicle drove over a pressure plated IED in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on July 8th, 2009. While out on a night mission, Sgt. Bouchard and four other Marines were injured in the blast; two of his team did not survive their injuries. Ejected from the vehicle, Sgt. Bouchard’s left leg was severed by the gun turret, causing a traumatic amputation. When he hit the ground, his back was broken by the impact and he suffered a Traumatic Brain In-jury. Lifesaving measures were performed and a tourniquet applied by one of his injured comrades helped stop his loss of blood. A British Royal Marine performed a direct person transfusion on-site to keep Josh from dying on the battlefield. Un-conscious, Sgt. Bouchard was treated at a local hospital before being airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany where he spent two weeks being stabilized for transport to Bethesda Medical Center. Two weeks later he arrived at McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, VA and began his intensive rehabilitation, spending 11 months in therapies before being transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Wash-ington, DC where he remains at this time.

Sgt. Bouchard enjoys the outdoors. He plays wheelchair rugby and loves music. He enjoys "messing around" with turntables and likes to Disc Jockey. Josh’s goals include learning to walk with as little assistance as necessary, furthering his educa-tion, and spending time with his family.

Sgt. Bouchard says he is looking forward to "readjusting to my life," and living in a specially adapted home that is built to suit his needs. Presently his laundry is located in the cellar and his hallways are too narrow for his wheelchair. He will be glad to no longer need a ramp to enter his home. "Receiving this home from Homes for Our Troops will give me new sense of freedom and take away the worry about where I will live and if my home is accessible to me. Thank you for what you do to help our nation's injured veterans."

Register at

www.RunForTheTroops5K.com