Caitlin Rulli walked the 10th annual DAV 5K in honor of her late fiancé, Army veteran Zachary Kish, and all men and women who served. “Even though we don’t know them all, we owe them all,” she said.

Donning a red-and-blue wig and pants with a large American flag print, Caitlin Rulli found herself on a mission to finish the 2022 DAV 5K in Cincinnati on Nov. 5.

That wasn’t initially the plan. Less than two months out from back surgery, Rulli would have been more than proud to complete the 1-mile loop. But something—or someone—pushed her to keep going.

Like many of the thousands of in-person and virtual DAV 5K participants, Rulli had a veteran in mind with each step she took: her late fiancé, Zachary Kish, an Army veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan who died Sept. 2, 2020.

“He loved being in the military and he loved being around other veterans and supporting veterans,” Rulli said. “He was just a remarkable human being.”

Kish spent more than 10 years in the Army, completing four combat tours as a military police officer and K9 handler. He and Rulli met in 2014, shortly after he separated from the military. That same year, they ran their first DAV 5K together.

Kish battled post-traumatic stress disorder and physical injuries that led to struggles with alcoholism. But Rulli said that whether it was through events like the DAV 5K or volunteering at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Kish found support and relief through the camaraderie of other veterans. As his partner, Rulli also found comfort in the veteran community, which she said helped her better understand the sacrifices so many men and women have made for their country.

As she copes with the loss of her best friend and partner, she’s driven to keep showing up for veterans.

“I just feel it’s important for veterans to know that there are resources out there and that there are people who do care and do want to help,” Rulli said.

Presented by Humana and USAA, the 10th annual DAV 5K was a reminder that no veteran is alone. Between participant fundraising, corporate sponsorships and other revenue, the event raised nearly $475,000 to help veterans.

“Humana is proud to be a presenting sponsor of the DAV 5K, one of the many efforts we take part in to support and help the men and women who have sacrificed so much to defend our nation,” said Army veteran Aaron McCoy, Northeast regional veteran executive at Humana. “The DAV 5K raises funds for DAV to keep supporting our ill and injured heroes while providing an opportunity to enhance their personal wellness and health. Humana has a long-standing history with the military and is committed to the well-being of all veterans.”

“The USAA-DAV relationship with our military and veteran community is strong, productive and firmly based on shared beliefs, values and goals,” said  retired Army Col. Gino Montagno, Affinity account manager for USAA.

“We stand side by side with the men, the women and family members who have worn the cloth of the nation and have sacrificed so much for the freedoms we enjoy. USAA is extremely proud to sponsor the DAV 5K walk, roll and ride that thanks those who served and raises awareness of the issues our veterans face every day.”

Navy veteran Philip Nwachukwu was the top fundraiser for the Cincinnati DAV 5K, raising more than $2,000. Nwachukwu said he wanted to give back to the organization that has helped him so much.

At just over $2,000, Navy veteran Philip Nwachukwu was the top fundraiser for the Cincinnati 5K. Nwachukwu, from Zionsville, Indiana, said he had three knee replacement surgeries for which DAV helped him get to and from medical appointments. DAV also helped him with his benefits claims.

“DAV is a beacon of light for all veterans … and a go-to organization for veterans, where they can get the assistance and information required to help them during and after their service,” he said. “I decided to participate [in this year’s 5K] because it’s a way of giving back to DAV.”

With Veterans Day around the corner from the 5K, Rulli and Nwachukwu hoped people would continue to remember veterans’ service and sacrifice and help keep the promise to America’s brave men and women.

“These veterans at one point signed a blank check to this nation, equal and up to their lives, and people should not take that for granted,” Nwachukwu said. “It doesn’t matter whether they served in peacetime or wartime—they were willing to make that sacrifice, and that should be appreciated.”

“Even though we don’t know them all,” Rulli said, “we owe them all.”