Late in the evening on June 1st, an unexpected request reached VFW Post 7511 Auxiliary President Debbie Bowling. A stranger named Noah Coughlan needed a place to stay. Intrigued, Debbie discovered that Noah was on a unique journey—running across the U.S. in honor of veterans. After reviewing his Facebook profile (@Run4Revival) and website, Debbie was fully committed to supporting him.
Debbie and her husband Mike, a VFW Post 7511 member, met Noah on a trail near their home in Monroe and walked alongside him. Noah explained that “Run for Revival” was a 167-day tribute to the American Soldier, covering a 3500-mile solo run from the Canadian border to Miami, starting on Memorial Day and ending on Veterans Day. At the time, Noah was on Day 5 of 167, marking his fourth run across America, with previous runs in 2011, 2013, 2015, and a run across Ireland in 2020. Noah, a rare disease advocate, had collaborated with U.S. Congressional staff on related initiatives.
Noah’s journey was symbolized by the American Flag he carried, flown on April 6th, 2023, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. To him, the flag represented the dedication of the Armed Forces, the Global War on Terror, and a tribute to the victims of September 11th, 2001. Noah wished that all who saw the flag would be reminded of the soldiers’ achievements and steadfast commitment to protecting the freedoms it symbolizes.
Although Noah had once considered joining the military, life led him in a different direction. The Bowlings hosted him for dinner, sharing stories of their family’s military history, including their service in the U.S. Navy and their son Brandon’s service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Both Mike and Brandon presented Noah with Navy and Marine challenge coins, his first military challenge coins ever. Debbie contributed two VFW Post 7511 “Flags for our Fallen” 5K t-shirts for Noah to wear on his journey.
Several weeks later, during the VFW Department of Washington Convention in Spokane, the Bowlings visited Noah before he continued his journey. They closely followed Noah’s progress, staying in touch and even providing a motel room when needed. One notable stop was in Omaha, Nebraska, where the Bowlings’ daughter Chelsea and her fiancé’s family joined Noah on his route.
Debbie expressed how proud she was to see Noah interviewed while wearing VFW Post 7511 t-shirts. It was a testament to the widespread impact of Noah’s journey and the support he received from VFW members. As Debbie wrote this, Noah was on Day 161 of 167 in Indiantown, Florida. He emphasized that his mission was not about the running but about the people and making an impact. Noah successfully completed his run on Veterans Day at Los Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where Marines folded his flag to mark the end of his extraordinary journey.
To learn more about Noah’s journey, visit www.Run4revival.org, or find him on social media: @Run4Revival on Facebook and @noahontherun on Instagram and TikTok.
