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 Wigwam Mills, A couple of months ago I sent you a letter about our team of Marines out here and wondered if you could send us any socks. To my surprise a large box of 30 socks arrived. I distributed them out to all the Marines. They were all really excited and believe it or not I have converted many of them on "nice" socks. Many of them use cheap socks and swear by them. However, now that they have worn wigwam socks they have "seen the light" Thanks so much again for supporting the Marines out here. We really appreciate it.
- Ben Crovella
A letter from our troops:
Dear Wigwam,
It has been the worst day of my life. I am sure you heard the news about SE Afghanistan and the roadside bomb that killed 8 US soldiers. They were my plt. Out of the 25 guys in my plt, 8 died yesterday. Then today we recieved your package with the socks. My SQD was in tears knowing that someone back home took time to send us socks, and the fact that we got them SO QUICKLY.
 The term "It is what it is" relates to pretty much everything in life. It's simple, yet deep. To find the mental position of accepting this term for what it is, it can prove to be a great challenge. Allowing such a term to dominate any given situation that would normally cause frustration and dismay, it takes time and effort. The term offers relief. It presents opportunity. You just need to be willing and focused.
 Finding the right direction is something that only you can answer. No book, video, coach, friend, or parent can help you...but only suggest to you. At the end of the day, you're the one that has to put one foot in front of the other. Some days that can prove to be very challenging. However, what it comes down to...is how deep you're willing to dig in order to keep your feet moving.
A lot of the time it's hard to find the right direction, the one that works best for you. There's so much literature, so many opinions, out there, typically you end up just pulling all your hair out from frustration. How do you know what or who to listen to? How do you know that the new book on the shelf has all the answers, boasting that this new and improved "way" is the right way? Well, put simply...you don't.
Stepping backwards is always a hard thing to do. Naturally, we just want to keep moving forwards. It takes patience, humbleness, and hard work to step back for the long run of gaining momentum. A route that i've been working on for over a year, my nemesis, that's been mentally toiling with me day and night. A route that caused injury and other such hindrances...there was something different to this route. I've climbed harder routes than this one, but as i've begun to realize that it wasn't about the number grade, but the journey to the succession of sending such a project.
For more check out: http://www.machavok.com/Climbing
 It's been an amazing Summer so far for Team Project Athena, our Athenaship Recipients, and our Fundraising Goddesses/Gods! Here are some updates:
*Athenaship Recipient, Kerrie Larsen-Kerkman, completed the Great Wall Marathon in China 5/09. Hand in hand, Kerrie (who suffers from a degenerative spinal disease and has a "spinal fusion" and 2 metal bars connecting her spine to her hips) and Team Project Athena's Melissa Cleary, crossed the finish line healthy and happy, right in the middle of the pack. They then proceeded to dance the night away, with Kerrie's husband noting that he "hadn't seen her so happy and so 'herself' in years". Exactly what we were shooting for! With her renewed confidence in her physical abilities and a strong desire to give back, Kerrie's next mission is to become one of our Fundraising Goddesses and do the Rim to Rim to Rim trek in the Grand Canyon with us Sept 30-Oct 4!
My wife and I just got back from spending 5 days in Alaska. We were in Anchorage, Seward, and Denali National Park. While traveling, we were on the move quite a bit and experienced a lot of things.
I got my first taste of mountain climbing. On the edge of Anchorage there is a spot called Flattop Mountain. It is the climb that everybody does when they are in Anchorage. Well, now I am a large guy and when the signs going up the side of the mountain keep telling you that it's going to get more dangerous, I was a bit worried that I wasn't going to get to the top of this "easy" mountain. I made several stops along the way, took my time, and made it to the top. I was very happy with how the whole thing turned out. I got a new pair of Wigwam Hiking/ Outdoor Pro socks for the trip and they were the most comfortable pair I've had to date. They were perfect on the mountain.
Wigwam sponsored athletes Melissa, April and Robyn, of Project Athena, are seen here working their "other" job as Engine 47 firefighters from San Diego. They are currently at Camp Pendleton fighting the brush fires. They definitely have their work cut out for them with the Santa Ana winds, but they are all smiles wearing their Wigwam socks! Stay safe girls!
For more information on Project Athena, visit the Wigwam News blog.
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