SEATTLE -- For one soldier back from Iraq, this year's Seattle Marathon took on special significance.

When David Hardt crossed the finish line, he did so for the 48 names listed on his shirt. They are the names of his 48 friends who couldn't run with him in the marathon.

"It ain't about me. It's all about the boys," he said.

Hardt's "boys" are his fellow soldiers who sacrificed everything to serve their country. Hardt says too often, their stories and sacrifices are overlooked.

"These boys paid the price for our country to put on this activity, and we all need to know that. Flesh and blood, 19 and 20 year olds putting their lives on the line. Somehow, some way, society's forgotten about us."

Hardt says everyone should know about the soldiers' sacrifices.

"The guys are gone. They're not breathing anymore. Their loved ones are gone, their sons have paid the ultimate price, and you know what? Some people don't even care anymore... Some people don't even know the last person that got killed, the last person to die last week, yesterday, today, and nobody knows," he said.

During his 25-month stay in Iraq, Hardt took pictures of his fellow soldier, and even wrote a book and a blog depicting the reality of living in a war zone. Hardt says his are stories of hope, camaraderie and even close calls he'll never forget.

"First patrol, I got hit by a grenade, and landed on my back, got shrapnel in my back and here's the thing -- today I felt it," Hardt said.

But the aches and pains of running 26 miles didn't stop Hardt. His time was irrelevant. Hardt was simply focused on pushing forward in honor of the 48 men until he reached the finish line.

"Instead of getting on the Internet and buying groceries, you need to get on the Internet and do some research on the boys who paid the price for your country. It's your country and you've got boys out there that might be worth remembering them," said Hardt.