Coughlan takes cross-country trip 'one step at a time'

To paraphrase Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird," sometimes, you just need to walk in someone else's shoes.

Noah Coughlan knows all about shoes. He figures he's gone through at least six pairs since he started a cross-country run known as Run For Revival, a 3,500-mile trek from near Seattle en route to Tampa Bay, honoring the nation's veterans and active service members.

The journey began on Memorial Day.

When he trekked across the Nebraska - South Dakota border, near the Rosebud Reservation, Aug. 5, Coughlan documented Day 69 of the 167-day venture. He hopes to land at his final destination on Veterans Day.

Once in the Cornhusker State, Coughlan visited Valentine, met with veterans at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars building. His shoes led him to the Cowboy Trail.

On the next leg, he dedicated the 45 miles between the Heart City and Ainsworth to his father, Dave, after learning the senior Coughlan was battling for his life in a California hospital.

"The run will continue," Noah said in an Aug. 8 social media video documenting the journey.

One step at a time, one moment at a time.

Coughlan's shoes slowed to a standstill near Bassett, in Rock County, as his father's condition worsened. With the help of Nebraska State Patrol officers and veterans, Coughlan broke one of his cardinal rules - never leave the trail - to return to his father's bedside.

Those shoes found their way into a Nebraska State Patrol cruiser, which rushed the Vacaville, California, native to Lee Bird Field in North Platte, in time to board a plane and head west.

David Coughlan died Aug. 10, surrounded by Noah and the rest of his family.

To understand the importance of this race for Noah, it helps to put shoes into perspective. That's been the point of all four cross-country runs on which Coughlan has embarked.

In 2011, he raised awareness for Batten disease, "a group of inherited nervous system disorders that most often begin in childhood," according to the National Institute for Health. Signs of the disease include vision loss, epilepsy, cognitive concerns, coordination and balance decline and issues with speaking.

On that trip, Coughlan ran from San Diego to Jacksonville, Florida, a 2,400-mile Run for Research, raising awareness for two daughters of family friends diagnosed with the disease.

"I've always been an athlete," Coughlan said. "But there's a difference between running a marathon and this."

He completed two additional runs across America - one in 2013, the other in 2015 - known as Run for Rare.

In 2020, Coughlan took his running shoes and platform to Ireland, to raise awareness for rare diseases in his family's native land.

Coughlan has dual citizenship in the United States and Ireland. His grandparents immigrated here from Ireland.

He's testified before Congress. He's shared stories about living with a rare illness. He's witnessed goodness and kindness in a world that, sometimes, doesn't promote joy.

Coughlan's inspiration: "The true character of the American people."

That's why this final cross-country adventure honors those who serve.

"At a time in America, we're in tension, this is my way to bring America together. Communities are enriched with military vets. They come home, become engrained in communities. They hold America together," he said.

He's honoring a country that celebrates it freedom earned by the millions of Americans who served and gave their lives.

"There's no agenda here," he said.

A lifetime ago - 22 years - Coughlan planned to join the military. Then 9/11 happened and his dad was injured, requiring surgery which resulted in the amputation of a leg.

Coughlan noted, "This is my way to serve as a civilian."

Along this run's route, he pushes a jogging stroller filled with water bottles and Gatorade, an American flag, strapped to the stroller's handles, waves to everyone he passes.

"It's an honor to carry the flag and for what it symbolizes," Coughlan said. "When you look at the flag, you're looking at your identity."

He's had to replace the wooden pole during this trip, after it caught on a road sign and snapped.

The flag, given to him by U.S. Air Force members, suffered a minor casualty: a slight tear between two stripes. The flag few in Saudi Arabia during Operation Inherent Resolve in April 2023.

He's met and shook hands with military veterans, listened to their stories.

He sees a common theme.

"We (Americans) have a lot more in common than we realize," he said.

Coughlan returned to Nebraska, Aug. 14, picking up where he left off. On Aug. 18, he landed in Ewing and the next day, Clearwater.

As extreme weather moved into the area, Coughlan pushed through Antelope County, stopping to visit with residents at Neligh's Arbor Care Center and interviewing Neligh resident, Richard Sanne, a World War II veteran who served in the Army's 5th Red Diamond Infantry Division.

By Aug. 21, Coughlan reached West Point.

While planning the trip, Coughlan built in extra days, in case his plan went off course.

Soon, he'll take a short detour. Coughlan and his running shoes will return to California for his father's funeral.

Then, the lure of the road, the whisper of the American spirit, will bring him back for the second half of the journey.

"This will be the final run," he said.

At age 39, Coughlan wants to slow down, appreciate the journey.

He documents every step on Facebook and hopes to complete a documentary about all of his runs. He's contemplating a run for office.

"It's not a sprint," he said. "Every day is an adventure."