A team led by Afterburner COO and partner Joe “Gusto” Connolly will be participating in the Run Ranger Run “Final Mile" event in Atlanta on Saturday, February 29. The run is a celebration of all local teams for completing their team’s final mile in their monthlong pledge in the Run Ranger Run fundraiser.

Run Ranger Run is an annual fundraising and awareness campaign for GallantFew, a veteran support organization whose mission is to facilitate a peaceful, successful transition from military service to a civilian life filled with hope and purpose. Afterburner, a consulting firm and corporate events company, is founded and led by former elite military professionals, including fighter pilots, Navy SEALS and Army Rangers.

The participating teams of the Run Ranger Run mission are each comprised of ten members who pledge to walk, run, or ride bicycles for a combined team total of 565 miles during the month of February. Participants log their miles each day, rain or shine, to cast a spotlight on the many challenges, veterans face, particularly divorce, unemployment, homelessness and suicide.

A former Army Ranger, Gusto has organized a team of Army buddies, colleagues, family and friends to raise money for the event every year since its start in 2013. The Afterburner team runs in honor of his late brother Major David Connolly, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005.

“It’s a really special way for me to pay tribute to my brother David and connect with my Army buddies,” said Gusto. “Understanding and supporting the difficult transition veterans face returning to civilian life is a burden we all need to carry. We are in the longest war with the continuing needs of veterans and their families as they deal with the consequences of the disproportionate sacrifices they made fighting our ‘Longest War.’”

The concept of Run Ranger Run originated with former 3rd Ranger Battalion member, U.S. Army Corporal Cory Smith. In 2012, Smith decided to highlight the difficult journey home many soldiers must face by undergoing a very public and difficult journey himself - running 565 miles to his home in Indianapolis from Fort Benning, Georgia, in 28 days. Smith’s run and its purpose gained attention and grew into the annual fundraising event Run Ranger Run.