I have known Josh for nearly 20 years now. My first memory of him is of a typical "surfer dude" but even at that very young age there was something very special about Josh. His humble demeanor and ever present smile made him so approachable that very rarely did you ever see Josh alone as others were, and still are, drawn to him.

Over the years this "kid" grew into an intelligent, articulate, and ambitious young man. Josh and I became friends away from the office spending time on the basketball court. For those that do not know Josh, he definitely has a competitive spirit and hates losing. This spirit is more evident today than ever before. A little over 3 years ago I went to Cabo San Lucas to attend his and Joy's marriage. It was quite simply, and without any exaggeration, the most beautiful event I have ever witnessed. I remember watching Josh and Joy exchange their vows and thinking to myself what a wonderful life they would have together. Less than a year from that wonderful event Josh began having some physical issues and over the course of the next year if was determined that he had ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). During this time I remember always being optimistic; that it wasn't as serious as everyone thought because this simply couldn’t happen to a person as genuine and good as Josh Thompson. It is now obvious that this cursed disease has in fact stolen one of the most promising futures that I have ever known.

Most of us have undoubtedly asked ourselves over these past few years, "why Josh"? None of us know why bad things happen to good people. I do know that there is not a single day that goes by that I don’t hug my own children a little tighter and a little longer thinking of Josh and just how fragile and precious life is. As Josh continues to fight this horrible disease I beg that you join him, and all of his family/friends, by helping with this event. The memory of Josh sitting on the Hilton waving to the masses at last year's event is something that is burned into my memory forever.

Join me and team Gold Key Cares and let's do something even more special for Josh, his family, and all of the other families that are impacted by this devastating disease. Our goal is simple. We want to set a new record for Walk participants and build the first ever Oceanfront Park for EveryBODY. I look forward to seeing you all on October 4th and have no doubt that we will all receive a blessing on that day that we will never forget.

Thank you all my friends – Bucky Houser, Gold Key Resorts & Friend of Josh Thompson