Veterans’ Day is Sunday, November 11^th, although in many places it is being observed on Monday the 12^th.  It really doesn’t matter which day is designated as being Veterans’ Day, because remembering what these men and women do for us and give to us is something we should be doing EVERY day.  In honor of this year’s holiday, why not highlight a local veteran from our area?

            Patrick Tuohy was born and raised in Westfield. He attended Westfield High School, where he was captain of the varsity lacrosse team and varsity football team until he graduated in 2000.  He went on to play lacrosse for Roanoke College for a year, until he was recruited to the Marine Corps in 2001.  Patrick moved up in rank very quickly, becoming an honor graduate of both boot camp and the Engineer School in 2002. He was deployed to Iraq, where he completed two tours of duty . . . “Operation Iraqi Freedom I” from February – May of 2003, and “Operation Iraqi Freedom II’ from February – September of 2004.  He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 2008.  He came by his military life honestly . . . . his father was also a Marine, and his brother is serving in the US Navy.
            Patrick then decided to return to Westfield and to his old high school, to give back to the town that he says gave HIM so much and gave him his start in the right direction.  He took on the job of Assistant Varsity lacrosse coach for WHS while he worked on opening up his own business in the fitness biz.  Thus was born X tra Mile Fitness, located at 304 Centennial Ave, Cranford. (  http://www.xtramilefit.com/ )  At X tra Mile, he trains many local high school , college, and other  athletes,  men and women just looking to get fit, and even local police officers.  He was quoted in a Westfield Patch article as saying, “I try to take lessons from my life and the Marine Corps, and instill the values of dedication, integrity and accountability.  You are extremely connected to your team members- their success is reflective on mine- I really care about the kids.”

            So, this Veterans’ Day, instead of just hanging a flag outside of your door, or wearing red, white, and blue, , why not stop into Xtra Mile Fitness, and just give a quick shout-out and “Thank you!” to someone who has allowed you the freedom to live your life as you do?  Who knows?  Maybe you’ll find you even want to join Patrick Tuohy’s “boot camp!!”