How the Spencer C. Duncan Make It Count Foundation Changed One Veteran’s Life: JOSHUA CALLIGAN’s Story

When Army veteran JOSHUA CALLIGAN stood quietly at the starting line of the Make It Count 5K in 2014, he had no idea the profound ripple effect it would one day have on his life. A Kansas City local by way of South Korea, Joshua had followed in his adoptive family’s footsteps by serving in the U.S. military—deploying to Iraq as an infantry paratrooper with the 25th Infantry Division. But after returning home, he found himself silently battling a different war—the one within.

In his heartfelt message, Joshua shares how the tragic loss of Army Specialist Spencer C. Duncan became a beacon of hope that eventually led him to healing. Through a chance encounter at a 5K event, a forgotten brochure, and a phone call years later, he discovered the Battle Within program—funded in part by the very foundation created in Spencer’s honor. With the unwavering support of Dale and Megan Duncan and the community they built, Joshua found not only tools for recovery but also connection, purpose, and a renewed sense of self.

This is a story of pain, perseverance, and the power of one family’s decision to transform grief into action—and in doing so, change lives. Joshua’s journey is a testament to how making it count isn’t just a motto. It’s a mission.