It’s always an honor for me to lead the pax.  When you throw on top a July 4th Convergence, WEP as the AO, and my fellow Founder of The Fort, Santini, as co-Q, my pulse picked up more than a few ticks.  Thank you to Cake Boss for piecing this together and inviting Santini and me to lead.

90 pax posted, including 3 FNGs, for the holiday adventure and fully engaged in all 3 Fs throughout the morning.  In addition to FNGs, we had a number of Kotters back in action as well as some pax returning for only their second workout after initial post in the past week or even yesterday.

Upon arrival, it was clear Santini and I were out of sync with a large group who had already completed some Extra Credit.  10+ ruckers.  20-30 runners.  Lots of sweat already flowing from this group before we even launched.

Independence Day marks the adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.  This document was signed by 56 men, representing all 13 colonies.  These men were lawyers, farmers, merchants and teachers.  They were educated, had families, owned property and were visible leaders in their communities.  They ranged in age from 26 to 70, with an average of 45.  These traits sound familiar?  Yes, these men were just like every member of the pax.  They had full lives with great blessings.  And yet they chose to risk it all by signing their names to that document, knowing fully that it would be viewed as an act of treason and potentially punishable by death if they were captured by the British.

They signed the document anyway.  They went to war.  Eight years of war.  We know the stories of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams who signed and later became President.  We know of Benjamin Franklin and all he contributed to America.  What we may lose sight of amid the hot dogs, burgers, brews, swimming and fireworks on July 4th is the risk these 56 men took.  And many paid a steep price.  Nine of these signers died in the war.  A dozen had their properties pillaged and burned.  Several were captured and mistreated for long periods.  Many suffered irreplaceable losses of loved ones and livelihoods, leaving them and their families to live in radically different circumstances for the rest of their lives.

So on this day when we celebrate Freedom, what would you be willing to die for?  What truths are self-evident to you such that you would be willing to risk everything you have to stand up for?

The Thang

Mosey to the parking lot at Springs building

COP —  13 reps IC of Mtn climbers, Squats, SSHs, Merkins, Moroccan Night Clubs, Peter Parkers, IWs

Mosey to the hill along 160 and plank it up on sidewalk

Partner 1: run to top of hill + Merkins x13 + run back
Partner 2: Plank
(Flapjack)

Handoff to Santini & cross street to Memorial park

SSHs x56

CDDs x10

Merkins x10

Bombjacks x10 OYO

Pledge of Allegiance led by Shark Bait

Burpees x10 OYO

Merkins x10

Bombjacks x10 OYO

Handoff to Double D and mosey to parking lot behind Hobos

Plank sequence

Donkey kicks x10 OYO

Monkey Humpers x10

Donkey Kicks x10 OYO

Monkey Humpers x10

Mosey to corner of Tom Hall & Main Street and form column on sidewalk on each side of Main Street for July 4th Lunge Walk Parade to Hobos

Mosey back to Memorial Park

Partner up & complete 56 Merkins w/partner (either aggregate or 56 each)

Mosey back to WEP

Form 5 columns for Santini’s famous Pain Platoon and proceed to complete countless series of squats

Partner up & complete 56 Burpees in aggregate w/partner

Mosey home

COT

Naked Man Moleskin

Thanks to all pax for enduring the meandering path through town.  Santini and I chose not to poke at those whining about grass and rashes and instead took the group off campus.  Not an easy feat with 90 pax in tow.  It certainly wasn’t perfect, especially when I took us down Main Street for the “parade” session.  Santini would not have made that call, but like a good partner he locked shields, pushed forth and pressed the “teaching moment” element.  Thankful for the safe return without issue and the enthusiasm the pax displayed throughout.

Shout out to Cable Guy, who sat broken on the curb after a rolled foot during the pre-run.  He was off to Urgent Care later in day and enjoyed his fireworks in a boot.  Look forward to getting you back out soon!

Shout out to Red Banjo, High Life & Flacco — three of what may have been even more Kotters out for the celebration of pain.

Solid lead put forth by Shark Bait on the Pledge when called upon on the spot.  Well done!

Welcome to our three FNGs — Price Check, Pylon & Snow Cone!  T-claps to Dixie Chicken and Olaf for EHing them.

Great to meet some newcomers, including Kung Fu Panda, Night Court & Prophet.  Keep posting, men.  It doesn’t get easier, but you get stronger/better.

What a terrific morning! We had the full spectrum of brothers out — Pax & 2.0s, young guns & respectables, black, brown & white, gritty F3 veterans & recent comers, Kotters & FNGs.  On those cold mornings of 2-5 men posting at Block Party in winter of 2012, neither Santini nor I could have imagined this is where God would take this thing we call The Fort.

None of us will ever know what those 56 HIMs expected to come from their efforts to draft and adopt a document called the Declaration of Independence 241 years ago.  What we do know is what each of them believed because it is there in black and white with their signatures at the bottom.  “Life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness.”  Freedom is a gift granted by God that these men chose to pronounce, to honor and to defend.  That Freedom works two ways — Freedom from something/someone AND Freedom to choose something/someone.  What are you doing with your Freedom?

Thanks for honoring your country, your brothers and Santini & me by posting today.