August 6 run will honor fallen special forces soldier Aaron Butler

A run and accompanying event honoring fallen soldiers is coming to San Juan County this August.
The Inaugural Aaron Butler Memorial Foundation (ABMF) Utah Purple Heart Run will take place in Butler’s hometown of Monticello on August 6, nearly five years after his death.
A member of the Army Special Forces Green Beret, Aaron Butler was killed on August 16, 2017 while fighitng against ISIS Terrorists in Afghanistan.
In an interview with Red Rock 92.7 FM ABMF President Adam Butler said his older brother was uniquely driven.
“Aaron was tenacious in the way he lived his life, he stood up for those who weren’t able to stand up for themselves and he fought to do great things. He was a four-time state wrestling champion and he made it his life’s mission to become and live the life of an army special forces soldier as a green beret.”
Well-known in the area, Aaron’s death threw the community into mourning. Over 2,500 people lined Highway 191 when his body was transported from the Monticello Airport to San Juan Mortuary in Blanding. Similarly over 1,000 people attended his funeral on August 26, 2017.
Two years following his death, Aaron’s commanding officer Dan Nielson founded ABMF. In August 2019 the foundation held its first race in Idaho. Since that time the organization has held the event annually in Idaho. 
Adam Butler shared that he feels blessed to be a part of the foundation as they plan to bring the event to Utah in Aaron’s hometown.
“I went to the first event and felt absolutely honored and amazed at the amount of honor and respect that is shown for fallen heroes and for gold star families. We’re going to bring that to Monticello on August 6. It’s educational, it’s emotional, it’s not just a run but it’s an opportunity to learn from one another. We want civilians, first responders, the war fighting minority, we want everybody to be there to experience this and learn from each other.”
The run on Saturday August 6 will start at the Monticello Ballpark Pavilion with a 5k, 10k and unknown distance run for an added challenge. The event will also feature vendors and guest speakers.
At the annual Idaho event some police, first responders and military members have completed the run in boots, military clothing, with weights and even packs to add an extra layer of challenge.
The unknown distance run, and participating in non-traditional running clothes is part of the idea to borrow a military phrase to ‘embrace the suck’.
“There are times where you’ve got a task or an assignment you’ve got to do that’s not ideal, but it has to be done and instead of shying away from adversity or pain, the thought is to lean into it and accept that as a challenge and take it with a smile.”
Adam Butler explains that the ABMF’s mission is to bridge the gap between the general population and the war fighting minority.
“Our war fighting minority those who actually go to battle for our country and fight for the oppressed is a very small percentage. Less than one-percent and we want to honor that service and sacrifice and inform the general public. We want people to come together and learn from each other. Right now especially there’s so much division and disagreement that we hope to overcome that by bringing people together to work together, to sweat together, and to cry together as we discuss some of the hard aspects of the result of war.”
The event will also honor San Juan County families who have lost loved ones to war. Including the Butler, Workman, and Winder families.
“San Juan County is a unique place. It has paid a pretty heavy price, it’s produced a higher number of war fighting men and women and has paid a heavier price.”
Additional information about the race and sign up can be found online at www.ABMF.info