By Natalee Webb-Rubino

At 70-years young, Army Veteran Tim App participated in the 41st running of the Army’s 10-mile Road Race held in our nation’s Capital on October 12th.  This was Tim’s first attempt at running in the DC event, and his very first 10-mile run! 

Tim chose to run in this year’s race in honor of the Army’s 250th birthday and for the successes he has achieved from his service to our nation. Tim commented “I am running the Army 10-miler as a celebration of all that I have accomplished, and that all started with my decision to join the Army, although an active conflict, the Vietnam Conflict, was raging.” He had voluntarily enlisted in the Army immediately following High School.

The 10-mile race which is comprised of military, civilian, wheelchair, and wounded warrior athletes, is conducted by the Army’s Military District of Washington (MDW) whose operations seek to deter, prevent, and respond to threats aimed at DC’s Capital region. The Race’s proceeds will benefit the Army’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) unit which provides resources and programs to the Army’s population including families of those now serving our country.  

After his honorable discharge from the Army, Tim moved to Massachusetts where he held various leadership roles within the Department of Corrections - for 27 years!  Following his retirement in 2003, he became an adjunct Professor at both Northeastern University and Stonehill College where he taught Corrections Practices, Sex Offender Programming and Ethics for 22 years. 

After completing his military duty, Tim took a hiatus from running. He resumed his running career after learning of his niece’s toddler being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. His niece started a 5K race to support her daughter and other children suffering from this rare form of cancer and asked him to run in the event. Sadly, his grandniece passed away at age 3, and Tim carries a picture of her with him on his armband for each and every training run and racing event.  

An active member of Franklin’s American Legion Post 75, Tim serves as their Sergeant-at-Arms and remarked that “The Post does a tremendous amount of community work and I felt it fitting to run the ATM for the first time, on behalf of the Post.” He also supports the Franklin community through his work with the St. Vincent DePaul charity at St. Mary’s. In addition, he works with Meals on Wheels delivering food to Franklin residents in need.

Natalee Webb-Rubino joined the Air Force in 1976 becoming its 1st female Aircraft Mechanic (Crew Chief) and at Kadena AFB in Okinawa, Japan. In 1999 she founded the 11K road race in Stoneham created to honor and recognize Veterans. In 2009 she became the City of Melrose’s 1st female Veterans Service Officer. She was first in her family to attend college full-time, earning a bachelor’s degree with honors from Bridgewater State University in 2019.  Her essays on Veteran matters have been published in Franklin, North Attleboro, Melrose, Milford, and Stoneham