Service Before Self Challenge

Patrick Dierig, a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, has decided to run the New Mexico marathon on August 31, 2008 to raise awareness about the Center for Citizen Leadership. Click here to donate to the CCL on behalf of Patrick’s run: “Service Before Self Challenge.”

About Patrick

Patrick Dierig is a Captain in the U.S. Air Force flying special operations aircraft. Patrick felt the call to Serve while hiking the Inca Trail in Peru with his wife, Lori. At age 27, they both quit successful advertising careers to commit themselves to serving the nation. Since then, he has been deployed for more than 600 days in support of the Global War on Terrorism. His awards include six Air Medals and the Combat Action Medal.

Raised in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, he is a graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati and holds a masters degree in International Relations from the University of Oklahoma. He was honored as OU’s Alison Smith-Overbay Scholar for 2007.

Patrick grew up as a competitive swimmer and turned to running after watching his wife qualify for the Boston Marathon. He continues to run and compete in endurance events despite back surgery and removal of a vertebra.

He and his wife have two children and will be moving to England in 2008.