When Staff Sgt. Juan C. Lugo returned home after his last deployment with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) in 2010, he told his wife of 16 years, Tonya, about a ruck march he'd gone on downrange to commemorate his fallen comrades and how much it meant to him. So she promptly encouraged him to continue the efforts here.

"When Dad has a vision, we support that," said Tonya, who then mobilized her own troops: the couple's seven children, two sons-in-law and two grandchildren. The kids, who range in age from 24 years to 21 days, are used to working together with their parents to give back; in fact, the family runs a nonprofit (Emmanuel Christian Ministries) and routinely holds functions to give back to both the community they've lived in for six years and the military community they are a part of.

None of that is surprising considering that both Tonya and Juan have backgrounds in social services. But in this tight-knit family, the kids aren't just being told to help - they want to help.  

"We start them out at birth," joked Tonya. "Each kid is different, so we try to look at their character and then encourage their strength and get them involved that way. For instance, our oldest, Shakeidra, is a great singer, so she sang the national anthem at the start of the march."

Despite only organizing the event three weeks out, the family was able to garner donations from Home Depot, Safeway and Albertsons, as well as participation from the Lacey Police Department, Lacey Chamber of Commerce, Hawks Prairie Rotary Club, Lacey Fire Department and The Olympian newspaper.

On May 30, their efforts paid off when 90 Soldiers turned out to complete the actual march, which began at the Military Family statue on Martin Way East in Hawks Prairie. The 8.6-mile loop was complete with stations staffed by the family, and Officer Shaun Bell of the Lacey PD cleared the way.

"Our main goal was to support the troops, especially the troops who are wounded and are still serving, as well as honor the memories of fallen heroes," said Lugo. Though there was no set amount required to par-ticipate, the Lugos accepted any voluntary donations from marchers and passers-by and raised $570 that day. That money will be presented to the Hawks Prairie Rotary Club on July 8 and will go directly into its Soldiers Fund.

Aside from a successful turnout and raising some money, the Lugo family also welcomed their newest addition, Adan, after Tonya's water broke during the march. "Our goal is to incorporate the youth," Tonya said. "Adan just couldn't wait to be a part of it with all of us!"

"It is not just my idea ever. We all sit down and figure it out together," Lugo explained, looking at his family. "These are my strongest support and my best backers."

Since the first march was a success, the family has set its sights on making it an annual event and will start planning for 2012 as soon as possible with monthly meetings. To get involved, call (360) 515-0475 or send an email to emc2tv@yahoo.com.

"When people come to me and say ‘thank you for your service,' I turn around and say ‘thank you for your support,'" said Lugo, who has since moved from the 4th SBCT to the 14th Engineer Battalion, which is part of the 555th Engineer Brigade on JBLM. "You can't take it for granted."

Photo caption: The Lugo family works together to accomplish great things for both their family and others in need. (L-R, back row first) Son-in-law Mackie Perryman with his wife Shakeidra, Juancristian, Milantra, son-in-law and Army Reservist Lionel Lyde with his wife Raquel and their new son, Issariyahnah, matriarch Tonya, SSG Juan Lugo with his youngest son Adan, Nihiema and the Lugos oldest grandchild, Shakeidra’s son, Mekhi.