I had the best end of the year, and a great holiday!

Now it’s time to look forward in this new year. I have a lifelong mission to support Ginger and the Kids. Last year we choose to run the Marine Corp Marathon. Wasn’t that great; I can’t help but smile looking back. We did it, we really did it! Please share any stories. Keep in contact. We raised over $3,000. That’s awesome.

In June we are issuing another scholarship in honor of Captain Dykeman. This year the date for the 2nd Annual Captain Philip Dykeman Memorial Golf Tournament is July 10th, 2010. The golf course is in Central Square, NY at Green View Golf Course. Golf, whether you are good or bad, isn’t as difficult as Running 26 miles. So, keep it in mind if you are not going to run this year!(hahaha)
This year the Marine Corp Marathon is October 31st. Halloween! I bet that will be fun. There is also a very small marathon in Fulton NY. It is very near the Dykeman family. It is up to the Team where we run this year. Also, if Ginger asks me to run the MCM, I will run it, no questions asked.

Please let me know what you are up to, how are your Families? We are doing great, very busy with the kids. They are both doing indoor soccer, and Morgan is doing Girls on the Run with her school, and will be running a 5k in April. Very proud of her! Julie is still very busy with Real Estate. I have put on a little weight, but have been running the last few weeks. Going to be ready for the warm weather!
Please feel free to call me at anytime at (919)795-3971!

Always Faithful,

Andrew Bateman

I was passed a link that I thought very appropriate to a include on Veteran’s Day.  

The weekend kick-off with a Pre-Marathon dinner. Runners and supports gathered for dinner, a few speeches but

Andrew finishes the marathon holding Phil's dogtags

mostly to enjoy each other’s company and prepare for the marathon. Team shirts were handed out to the runners and by 8:30 pm all had retired to their rooms to mentally prepare. 

Sunday was a beautiful, temps in the low 60’s sunny with light breeze.   Runners wound there way through the streets of Arlington, Georgetown, District of Columbia, back into Virginia to finish appropriately at the Iwo Jima Memorial.

By the end of the afternoon all 17 Team Dykeman runners had finished and recieved their medals.  Over the next several days I hope to get pictures posted!   Runners please leave comments detailing your experience!

Congratulations to all!

As many of you know, my friend and cousin, Captain Philip J Dykeman, USMC, was killed in action on June 26, 2008, while serving our country in Iraq. Phil died at the young age of 38 leaving behind his wife of 10 years, 3 children – Austin, 10; Emilee, 8; Ashley, 8 – and an extended family stretching across the country that miss him dearly with every passing day.

Personally, Phil and I shared so much through our lives – his mom and my mom are twins (we grew up together); I introduced him to his wife, Ginger and I am the Godfather of his daughter Ashlee. I struggled to deal with the tragedy of the death of my cousin and friend. I needed an outlet – a way to handle the pain and to show the world my pride in his service and my love for this great man. I decided to run a marathon – ‘Team Dykeman’ had its first member.

I started running a few weeks after Phil was killed – it felt right, but I still needed a true purpose.
Thanks to the support and help from many people, the Captain Philip J. Dykeman Memorial Scholarship was formed. Through fundraising efforts during my first marathon last November, continued contributions throughout the year and the very successful first annual Captain Philip J. Dykeman Golf Tournament, we have raised almost $9,000 and are proud to have issued the first scholarship this past June to Ryan Martin of Paul V More High School (Phil’s alma mater) who is now attending college for Physical Therapy – congratulations, Ryan!

We are tremendously grateful for the success that has been achieved and the support – both moral and financial that we’ve received. Team Dykeman has grown to well over a hundred members with runners joining in from all over the country. Our next big race is the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC on October 25, 2009. Team Dykeman has 14 runners participating and we are again seeking your support.

I have listed below the mailing address for Paul V More High School. Please help make the second year for Team Dykeman perpetuate this amazing first year by making a monetary contribution to the Captain Philip J Dykeman Memorial Scholarship. We truly need your support to ensure this scholarship fund can and will continue. Once again – this is your opportunity to show Phil’s wife and kids and all of Team Dykeman how much America appreciates the sacrifice that Captain Dykeman has made for our country.

You can make donations by check to:

Paul V. Moore HS Endowment Fund*

Please notate in the Memo: ‘Dykeman Scholarship’. Please fill out the donation form below and mail to:

Central Square School District
Attn: Mrs. Lisa Fox, Treasurer
642 South Main Street
Central Square, NY 13036

*Don’t forget to check to see if your company has a matching program – you may be able to double the impact of your contribution!

If you’d like to learn more about Captain Philip J. Dykeman you can visit www.teamdykeman.com. Here you will find information about:

•Phil’s service in the Marines
•Phil’s numerous awards and recognitions
•Phil’s incredible experiences in Iraq
•Phil’s emails to ‘Cousin Andrew’ during his time in Iraq
•Photos
•Comments / memories from Phil’s family and friends
•More about ‘Team Dykeman’ and our purpose and goals

You can also keep up to date on the upcoming races that Team Dykeman will be running on Facebook! If you have any questions, you can email me at andrew_fsi@yahoo.com or call me at (919) 795-3971.

One last note – I want to extend an invitation to all of you to come to the marathon on October 25th in Washington DC – it will be an event to remember! There are 30,000 runners, and over 300,000 spectators.

On behalf of my cousin Phil, his family, and everyone who believes in supporting our troops, fallen soldiers and the families they leave behind – I thank you for your time; for your consideration and for your support.

I am not a Marine, but I run for one.
Always Faithful,

Andrew J. Bateman – Raleigh , NC
Proud Cousin of Captain Philip J Dykeman, USMC

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Yes! I would like to show my support for Captain Philip J. Dykeman and his family:

Name(s) ________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________
Phone _________________________________________________________________
Email _________________________________________________________________
Check Enclosed #_______________
Date _______________

______$25 ______$50 ______$75 _____$100 ______$500 ________$1000

______Other $___________

Make Check Payable: Paul V. Moore H.S. Endowment Fund
Important: Note “Dykeman Scholarship”
Mail to: Central Square School District, Att: Mrs. Lisa Fox, 642 South Main Street, Central Square , NY , 13036

On leave weekends, Phil and sometimes a couple of buddies would make the 30 mile drive up I-95 to our house in Alexandria, VA.  Exhausted from their week of training they would sit on our deck, polishing boots and belt buckles, folding laundry, smoking, drinking coffee and then a beer or two.  Throughout the weekends there was never anything but smiles, laughter and good natured ribbing.   I could tell these guys loved what they were doing.   I was always amazed when I got up on Saturday mornings; the “boys” were already up, out on the deck.  Sleepy eyed I ventured out there and asked how everybody slept… that’s when the good natured ribbing came my way.   Even thought it was only about 8:30, I got it hard for sleeping in, and why I didn’t join them for the 10 miles they had already completed – running not in Nike’s but their combat boots.  These were the best of the best and I was proud to host them. 

There were a couple of weekends when Phil visited alone.  Those were the times when we would talk.  He always wanted to hear stories about his Dad, my Uncle Henry.  Most stories centered around family events, mostly at the Dykeman house in Bernard’s Bay.  Clam bakes and Christmas parties, boat rides on Oneida Lake, riding the snow mobile.  Thanksgivings at our house!   I told him how my Dad and his were best friends.  We laughed and sure we cried…

During this past year there haven’t been many days when I haven’t thought about Phil.  Whether it’s talking with Andrew about Team Dykeman or just looking out on to my deck.   I miss Phil, I miss knowing he’s out there watching out for all of us.      While this is a sad day as we remember Phil, it is also a day to reflect on his impact.   After his death the local Sheiks and Civic Leaders that worked alongside Captain Phil, as he was known to his Marine comrades, petitioned Baghdad to have a local primary school renamed in his honor.  Today in northern Karmah, Iraq there is a primary school that bears the name “Captain Phil”; a lasting legacy – he made a difference over there!

Rest in peace Phil… 

Love, Cousin Peter

Would like to announce that my Brother Steve Bateman is signed up to run with us at the MCM.  He signed up on April 1st, but stayed in the closet til he knew that he could run it.  He just did a 10k at a 8:30 minute pace!  I think he will be fine.

Mike and Holly Redwine have started their training.  Holly just ran over 5 miles for the first time.  I can’t wait to see you guys again!  Jen Brooks is running in my neighborhood rubbing it in my face that she beat me at our last 1/2 marathon. 

Brent and Samantha Crane are running all over Jacksonville.   I know that Jon VanDeusen played golf last week, that doesn’t count as exercise!  I have not spoken to my friend Dewayne in a few weeks, but i know that he will be ready!   Why is it that Brian Handly is going to France in August and the other three have decided to run a Marathon?  I am proud of my Brother -in-Law Kevin Voss that he is going to run with us.  Please share you stories of training, or if you would just like to make a sarcastic comment, please do!

If you need any information about the hotel or events surrounding the Marathon, please let me know (919)795-3971.

This is Memorial Day weekend.  It will have a new meaning to me.   One that hits close to my heart.  Take a moment and run or think about Capt Phil this Monday.

I think of him every day.  As members of Team Dykeman i want you to be proud of what we are doing.  On June 7, 2009 we are awarding the First Scholarship in his name.  It is going to a Graduating Senior Soccer player from his High School.   I couldn’t be prouder of all of you.  Thank you.

Team Dykeman is a family sponsored award that supports graduating students from the Central Square School District. 

This scholarship is named after Captain Philip Dykeman USMC, a 1988 graduate of   P.V. Moore High School, who was killed in Iraq on 26 June 2008.

This scholarship is to honor Captain Dykeman and all of those that have served and sacrificed for this country by focusing on giving back to the community.   

The Community’s values of Family, Unity, Loyalty, Faith, and   Determination are part of what Captain Dykeman stood for as a good citizen and Marine.

Captain Dykeman is a Hero, just like all who have served and given their lives.  His selfless actions speak not only of him, but also of his family and community that instilled strong values.  

This Scholarship will give back to the community by improving the opportunities for another student to make a positive impact, not just in our community but on the world.
 
Our Scholarship is an award of $1,000,
$500 for the Fall Semester,
$500 for continuing in the Spring Semester.
 
 For more information on the scholarship sen an e-mail to TeamDykeman@yahoo.com.

I want to personally thank the Batemans for being so supportive ! I want to Thank Peter for keeping up with this website like he does . I want to thank the following people for supporting me and pushing me to run this race and finish, seeing you guys there with your signs and knowing that you were proud to see us cross that finish line goes beyond what words can describe — Thank you Angel , Dewayne, Kim, Ireland and Sutton, John Voss, Morgan and Alyssa, Aunt Jane and Aunt Anne. Thanks for the support and also thanks to Paul Handley for keeping us laughing.   My legs may be shorter than some but next race we will keep up with Paul and Andrew .

A special thanks goes to Julie Bateman, my running partner,  we stuck together the whole race and it made a difference to get through . I appreciate you being there and I will run with you anytime any place!! 

I want to say a special congrats to Dewayne and Kim for kick starting us off right with the 5k . Talk about getting pumped up , seeing you guys do the first thing was awesome!  I am very proud of you guys! Now we have to train even harder!!

Andrew,  just thanks for being the driving force for all of this,

Andrew and Rusty

 you are a good man and a special friend !

Thanks to everyone that has donated and to everyone that has just said encouraging words , we need it !!

Sincerely ,

Rusty Sneeden