8:46AM on September 11, 2001. Just writing those letters and numbers unleash a wave of thoughts and emotions. Like everyone who reads this, I know where I was and what my first several actions were following that moment. 4 attacks that morning led to nearly 3,000 lives lost and over 6,000 injured. In a nation divided leading up to 9/11/01, we saw something appear…UNITY.

I wasn’t alive to experience it firsthand but through my grandparents, as members of “The Greatest Generation”, I heard stories about the unity that this country developed during WWII. A unity brought about by strength, courage and pride. A unity that isn’t fractured. A unity that is central to the very fabric woven into every American Flag. It would be all too easy and pessimistic to focus on how this country has been divided over a variety of topics in recent years. This country has always turned the corner of adversity and found it’s strength in its unity. Do we all agree? No. Do we all like each other? No. But do we have the feeling deep inside to stand up for this great country when backed into a corner? I feel like we do but you are the only one who can truly answer that question.

Not a week goes by that I don’t think about a decision I made twice in my life. At times, it haunts me. At times, I’m thankful. In the end, it’s a decision that inevitably leaves me with a little taste of regret in my mouth. That decision was whether I do or do not enter the United States Military, specifically, the United States Marine Corps. First, out of high school. And second, you guessed it, following the events of September 11, 2001. I’m the grandson of a Marine, the grandson of an Army soldier, the cousin of 2 Marines, the son-in-law of a Naval Seaman, the brother-in-law of an Army Officer and the friend of many more who have worn or do wear the Uniform to protect us globally or who serve and protect us domestically. And for those Police Officers, Firefighters, EMT’s, First Responders and others who don’t second-guess the decision to run toward danger, on behalf of a society that doesn’t consistently give you the respect you deserve, thank you for brushing that to the side and still, protecting and helping us.

With this year marking 15yrs since that day, I knew I couldn’t have possibly been the only man in F3 wanting to spend time with other PAX early in the morning. What better way to start this day than with a Ruck? Thankfully, I’ve been bit by the Ruck bug and I’m all in. There’s something about it, it just breeds Patriotism, American Pride and UNITY.

I had no idea how many men to expect this morning, considering it’s the first recovery day after so many of our brothers just ran BRR but once we got ready to fall in line behind Ol’ Glory, we were a dozen strong. I was extremely honored and humbled to have so many brothers stand with me.

After a few introductory words reiterating my earlier tweet about this not being the hardest workout you’ll ever do but we all know that’s not the reason we’re here anyways, brother Assassin grabbed the Shovel Flag and in 2 lines, we took off. Something to keep in mind, there were 4 numbers that our exercises would revolve around:
9: For the month of September
11: For the day of September
15: For the anniversary of that day
4: For the number of planes used in these attacks

We Rucked to the flags closer to downtown Ft. Mill and encircled the statue. Assassin planted the shovel flag and we began with a Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer then returned to the circle and dropped the Rucks for some stretching.
Wind Mills, Left Toe Touches, Right Toe Touches, Cherry Pickers, 11 Burpees

After the sweat started rolling and the minds began to clear, we reviewed some of the facts and stories from that day:
9/11 Facts
4 planes, 265 people on the planes. 2,977 people died (not counting the 19 hijackers) and over 6,000 suffered injuries. Included in that, a total of 411 emergency workers died as they did not hesitate to rescue others. This includes 343 from the NYFD, 37 from the Port Authority, 23 NYPD officers, and 8 EMT’s from private agencies.

American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower
United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the World Trade Center’s South Tower
American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Here, there were 125 military personnel & civilians that died.
United Airlines Flight 93 was diverted when the hijackers were overtaken by a few heroes and crashed near Shanksville, PA.

Upon learning of the earlier plane hijackings, Thomas Burnett Jr on Flight 93 called his wife from the plane’s Airphone saying, “I know we’re all going to die. There’s 3 of us who are going to do something about it. I love you, honey.”

Sandy Bradshaw, a flight attendant, called her husband and explained that she had slipped into a galley and was filling pitchers with boiling water. Her last words to her husband were “Everyone’s running to first class. I’ve got to go. Bye.”

Over an open phone line, another passenger, Todd Beamer, was heard saying, “Are you guys ready? Let’s roll”

There are two words that seem to have been etched into the minds of so many of us and that is something we say often in F3, LET’S ROLL!!

Rucks on:
Squats, Imperial Walkers, Moroccan Night Clubs, Carolina Dry Docks, Wide-Arm Merkins, 9 Man Makers

Merkin Wave x 9 times around in a slow pace
Carolina Dry Dock x 9 times around in a faster pace
Left Leg lunge x 11
Right leg lunge x 11
Overhead Press x 15
With Rucks held out front, we squat for a 9 count
Bicep Curls x 15 than hold the Ruck at 90 degrees for a 15 count
Ruck Swings x 15

Grab the Shovel Flag and short Ruck over to the stairs across the street. Plant the Shovel Flag.
Bear Crawl up the stairs and 15 calf raises on each leg at the top or 30 if you’re doing both legs together
Walk back down the steps then bear crawl back up with the calf raises at the top. Total of 4 times.

Grab the Shovel Flag and another short Ruck to the adjacent parking lot.
Drop the Rucks in a pile then get in 1 long line and plant yourself on your six. Then came the American Hammers passing the Rucks from one end to the other. Then send them back then again and back again for a total of (4) 1-way trips. It was almost comical how we passed Rucks ranging from the professionally-packed Ruck with 30lb plate to the 50lb bag of tricks and even the regular backpack with home gym-type dumbbells inside.
On your six and in a circle:
Ruck Touches: think toe-touches but you’re holding your Ruck out stretched and you make a V with your arms and legs, bringing the Ruck up to touch your toes directly over your waist. Or that was the intent, at least. Did 11.
Flutter kicks with Ruck presses x 11
Protractor with the Ruck held high.
Form 2 lines of 6 for a nice bear crawl down and back in the parking lot.
Time for a great equalizer, grab a partner for a round of “Catch Me If You Can” back to the playground at WEP. Before your partner could begin their sprint to catch you, they had to do 9 Diamond Merkins. So much for a nice Sunday stroll in the park.
Partner 1: 11 Pull Ups Partner 2: With your Ruck on your back, hold your partner’s ruck out while in the squat.
Rinse & Repeat so each partner does each twice for a total of 4 rounds.
Line up again for a little bear crawl across the nice, plush playground mulch.
On your 6 to close out with Mary:
Peter Parkers x 9
Parker Peters x 11
LBCs x 15

Grab the Shovel Flag and take it back to COT.

I cannot explain the honor I felt to lead 11 other men this AM which included Servicemen, a Firefighter, examples of strength in our communities and all around, Strong Men. This morning was harder than I thought but only by the Grace of God was I able to wake up, put my feet on the floor and spend 75mins doing exactly what I wanted to do. There was no place I’d rather have been. I may just have to start working on next year’s plan. I’m tired of living with Regret; I’ll need to refocus that on future opportunity to be the man God designed me to be.

Announcements:
Invergence…Read the Newsletter
Prayer Requests:
Witch Hunt shared a personal story that touched his family so thank you for that, brother. We’ll never forget.
Fish Sticks shared a personal story about his sister and a great reminder to never let a day pass without telling your loved ones that you love them and how much they mean to you.
Assassin shared the story with us about the Man with the Red Bandana. We always need to be ready. Ready to pick someone up, ready to serve, ready to help.
Prayers for Olaf’s wife and her pregnancy.
Prayers for Trucker’s son’s friend and for a speedy recovery.

The Honor is all Mine
Maximus