SAN DIEGO — It's been four months to the day since five Marines were killed in a helicopter crash in East County San Diego and now the parents of one of those Marines are turning tragedy into triumph by keeping their son's legacy alive.
“We lost our son. Our kids lost their brother, and you know, America lost five really good men,” said Caryn Langen, mother of 23-year-old Sergeant Alec Langen.
“It’s been four months and it’s still hard," said Steve Langen, Alec's proud father. "We have okay days, and we have really hard ones sometimes.”
Sgt. Langen was a crew chief in the Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 “Flying Tigers” stationed at MCAS Miramar. In February, he and four other Marines were on their way back from the Creech Air Force Base in Nevada during a strong winter storm when their helicopter went down in Pine Valley, killing all five.
“We did lose a part of us and our other kids feel it as well, so we have to be there for them,” said Caryn. “These tragedies can break you apart or make you stronger, and we’ve been together 26 years and it’s made us stronger with our family.”
As Caryn and Steve and the rest of the family dealt with the loss of Alec, they searched for anything that could help them heal.
“We felt that exercise was a way to help grieve," said Caryn. "It kind of gets you moving, gets you out of your own head I guess.”
As exercise became an important tool of healing during the difficult time, it dawned on them that they could literally run for Alec. On Memorial Day, they launched a nonprofit Running4Alec with the goal of participating in 5K’s, 10K’s, half and full marathons all around the country and even abroad where Alec either visited or was stationed.
“We’ve been training from couch to 5K, so it might end up being a run, walk, crawl type of situation," said Caryn while laughing. "But we’re definitely working out.”
The nonprofit’s logo actually stems from a very special picture.
“That picture is one of the last pictures he sent us sitting on the back of the helicopter," explained Caryn. "He thought it was really cool that somebody captured that of him waving.”
Sgt. Langen grew up in San Diego County and always loved the Miramar Air Show, inspiring him to get into aviation and follow his father's footsteps, who also served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Being that Alec's favorite color was sunset orange, his parents made T-shirts in that color with the nonprofit's logo imprinted on them. They plan to wear these shirts when they run for Alec. Shirts, hoodies, and stickers will be available on the nonprofit's website in a couple weeks. All proceeds and donations to their nonprofit will go straight to the Wingman Foundation, which provides support to the families of fallen heroes.
“We just want to make sure that Alec’s name stays with everybody, and also his crew, you know, his whole crew, five of them were lost," said Caryn while holding back tears. "It’s four months today so it’s just really important for us that we keep them alive too.”
Their first run will be on June 22 at the Wings Over Miramar Flightline 5K, where Alec was stationed, and it’s open to the public.
For more information on their 501(c)(3) or how to support and donate, visit running4alec.org.
Watch Related: Miramar memorial service for five Marines who died in helicopter crash (Feb 16, 2024)