Veterans, in full uniform, swim to honor the fallen and support their families

The swimmers were invited veterans, dressed in uniform, racking up the laps as a way to raise money for programs that help military families and veterans.

Jose Martinez, a Marine with 12 years of service, was one of the first to take a dive, dressed in his desert camouflage. Martinez was part of the Iraq invasion team of 2003, and he swam Monday to honor Marine Gunnery Sergeant Darrell Boatman, who died during combat in 2005.

"He decided to serve and to protect and to be there, when the country and nation needed us," Martinez said.

Raymond Brunet, an Army sergeant dressed in his Army Combat Uniform, was another of the dozen veterans pushing through the water.

Swimming in uniform was very hard. "A lot harder than I remembered," Brunet said.

If it were easy, it just wouldn't have the same meaning.

"They gave the ultimate sacrifice. I can sacrifice my body and swim a little while in their memory," he said.

"It's a little bit tougher than swimming in a swim gear, but they sacrificed, so let's do our sacrifice as well, to swim in uniform," Martinez added.

It was a day when the swimmers immersed themselves in more than chlorinated water.

"Let's remember, everyday, the sacrifices our service member has done for us," Martinez said. "It's not just one day, it's throughout a whole year."

The event was organized by the United States Veteran Corps. They hoped to raise $10,000 for military families and veterans.