Scott Carpenter
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 11:57 am
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Jonathan Milkovich, an Army veteran who lives with his wife Sabrina Shoaff in the mountains of western North Carolina is about to embark on an incredible journey stretching from one end of North Carolina to the other.
Jonathan is executive director of the nonprofit Operation Warrior Fit. Beginning on September 21, he begins a 700 mile solo run known as Operation Carolina. He begins in the mountains in Cooper Basin at the NC/Tennessee state line, and will finish at Harris Point, NC, on the Outer Banks.
Jonathan will run about 40 miles each day, and the entire event will take 17 days. It will bring Jonathan through Rutherford County, on the fifth day (September 25). He will travel down Highway 108 and down Maple Street in Rutherfordton. He will travel through Rutherfordton, Spindale, Forest City and Ellenboro and then move on to Gastonia.
The purpose of Operation Carolina, and the overall Operation Warrior Fit organization according to Jonathan is to "...to put a spotlight on veterans, service members, and first responders."
Jonathan wants veterans and others to know, that fitness is a great way to boost one's mental health, as well as physical health. He remembers feelings of being somewhat lost, or without purpose, upon leaving military service.
Though he was already married, Jonathan missed the routine, the brotherhood, the camaraderie.
"I missed that far more than I realized," he explained.
Along with those feelings, came bouts of uncertainty, anxiety, and even some depression. And there are at times, feelings of loss. Others, Jonathan realized, often face similar hardships when it comes to readjusting to "normal" civilian life.
Some of his buddies from the military were in a similar circumstance. In fact, one of his close friends from the military ultimately died by suicide. This remains a painful event for Jonathan to remember, and that event in particular, has helped inform his current work with Operation Warrior Fit.
"Every day, 22 veterans die by suicide," Jonathan explained. "First responders face similar mental health challenges, with firefighters and police officers experiencing higher rates of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression than the general population. Operation Carolina aims to start 22 conversations about mental health every single day of this journey."
Jonathan says this isn't simply a run.
"It's a movement to create new purpose and community for those who have served, proving that movement is medicine and help is always available," he said.
Though not always a super-long distance runner, he has been active since childhood. He grew up in Florida and he ran cross country, and track in middle school and high school. He embraced triathlons in college.
Throughout his childhood he would often visit the mountains of North Carolina on family vacations.
"I love it here. I have great memories of visiting North Carolina, when we were living in Florida," he said. "My parents eventually retired to the mountains, and my wife and I live here now."
PTSD, Jonathan says, is very real, especially for those serving in the military, and first responders.
"You don't have to have served in active combat, in order to experience PTSD. I was not in active combat," he said.
But, mental health stresses are prevalent. Jonathan had moments when he was not coping in healthy ways. He occasionally would drink too much with friends, instead of directly addressing the anxiety.
"When I lost my buddy, I would ask, could I have done something, could I have done more," Jonathan said.
"I want more people to understand that these things are not just ok to talk about, they should be talked about," Jonathan said. "I think veterans and first responders are too often locked into a mindset of not talking about things. Just keeping quiet."
"The biggest message I want to get out there is that just talking about things, can make them better," Jonathan continued. "It is ok to not be ok. To acknowledge that, and talk about things in order to find a way forward."
Jonathan is building a supportive community of veterans, and first responders who have had similar experiences. When people are having a really bad day, he says instead of going out and drinking all night, reaching out to friends, or going for a workout, a run, a bike ride, are healthier options mentally and physically.
"I'm fortunate. I am in the best shape, best condition of my life," Jonathan said. "I want others to see that through fitness, and fellowship, they can get through difficult times. We are building that supportive community. And I want more and more veterans and first responders to understand that they are not alone."
Operation Warrior Fit became and active nonprofit organization in January. This is the first major multi-day event organized by Operation Warrior Fit. The organization also partners with other races and events to encourage and support veterans and first responders.
Jonathan is encouraging individuals and supporters in each community, to come out and join him if only for a mile or two.
He estimates that he will be coming through Rutherfordton between noon and 1 p.m. on Friday, September 25.
More information about Jonathan's organization, and the event, can be found at www.operationwarriorfit.org then click on Operation Carolina.