Community to Rally Around Family of Fallen Soldier Saturday

The community will gather Saturday to raise money for the wife and son of a Los Alamitos High School grad who died in combat in Afghanistan last year.

Crossfit Reality in Long Beach will sponsor the “Honor Tommy Mac 5k Run and Workout of the Day” to garner support for those left behind by 26-year-old Sgt. Thomas Raymond MacPherson, an Army Ranger who lost his life in 2012.

Known as Tommy to his friends, MacPherson is survived by his wife, Claudia, and their son, Brayden, who will turn 2 this month. Both now live in Los Alamitos.

• Los Alamitos High Grad Killed In Afghanistan Had 'Warrior's Spirit'

Claudia said she was touched by the unexpected outpouring.

“It’s a little strange for people to want to give to you,” Claudia said. “I mean, I’m very appreciative, but at the same time it is strange … in a good way."

Claudia plans to put the money raised Saturday into a college fund for Brayden and plans to run in the 5K pushing her son in a stroller.

Tommy would be grateful for the fundraiser because of his love for his family, Claudia added. After his passing, she said, people — some who met the couple only once — told her how obvious it was Tommy cared deeply for his wife and son.

"I think he just loved us so much he would just be grateful and appreciative,” she said. “If Tommy were to know what would have happened, I definitely think his number No. 1 concern would be Brayden and I."

Event founder Chris Amenta, general manager and head coach at Crossfit Reality in Signal Hill in Long Beach, said he started planning the event last year after he heard news of MacPherson’s passing.

Amenta, who considered entering the military earlier in his life, said members of the armed forces have a special place in his heart. Amenta attended Los Alamitos High School with Tommy and Claudia, and though he didn't know them, he said, he felt connected when he heard of Claudia's loss.

“I just wanted to do something, more than just ‘Oh wow that’s a shame,’” Amenta said. “Knowing what Tommy gave up and just seeing Brayden … makes every bit of me want to keep moving forward and make this event as big as we can and memorable as we can."

A Seal Beach resident, Amenta said he hopes to continue the event next year and maybe start raising money for other causes. He’s also hoping for volunteers to come help, and said anyone interested can email him at chris@crossfitreality.com.

MacPherson – a Long Beach native and Los Alamitos High School graduate – died in small arms fire in the Ghazni Province in Afghanistan as he led an assault against an enemy position, according to U.S. Army officials.

MacPherson was a team leader assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. It was his fourth deployment to Afghanistan, and he had also previously served one deployment in Iraq.

His awards include the Bronze Star Medal of Valor, the Army Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medical. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and the Purple Heart.

The fundraiser begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at 3591 Cerritos Ave. Event participants can register the day of the event. For more information, visit http://honortommymac.com.

The event will also include a raffle with such prizes as a surfboard, a Kindle and an iPad.

Event sponsors include Rogue Fitness, Again Faster Equipment, Crossfit Endurance, Mobilitywod, ETE (extreme training equipment), Functional Equipment, Strength Wraps, Refined Roots, SicFit, C20, Hylete, Kill Cliff, Crossfit Reality. 

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