Honoring Jose Nisperos

This was my first Q at a Hero Workout. I was nervous… I asked my 2.0, Eat Mor Chikin, to read a Hero story out of the book. He chose some real bad ass Heroes, but we didn’t see any Asian Americans. I did some research and learned that out of the 3,520+ Medal of Honor recipients, 33 were Asian Americans. I decided to honor Jose Nisperos, the first Asian American to receive the Medal of Honor, who received it for his actions in the Philippine–American War.

9 showed up at the usual AO and we prepared to mosey when Dark Helmet snuck up quietly right at 0500 to move us since there were a few band buses parked there with people sleeping. Dirty Harry was all about being loud and waking them up and I had already chalked up the road with my workout, but we moved away to let the band sleep. As we ran towards the front of the school, I was happy to see General made it out. So we had a total of 11. I gave a quick disclaimer and reminded the Pax of F3’s Mission to plant, grow, serve. We started off with a mosey doing butt kicks, high knees, carioca, and NUR (backwards run).

Warm-up: SSH, Low Slow Squat, Hill Billy, Neck Roll

Plank Hold while I read to the Pax about Jose Nisperos.

The Thang: 33’s

Start with one rep of each exercise and run 0.1 mile. Increase number of reps by one, then run back 0.1 mile and continue exercises. Keep increasing reps until 33. We were on a slight incline which added to the challenge.

Exercise for time:

  • Squat
  • LBC
  • Merkin
  • Superman
  • Squat Jump

There was quite a bit of mumble chatter in the beginning with the lower reps. That soon changed after we hit the higher reps. Going back and forth gave us the opportunity to encourage each other. Loved the hand slaps and motivating words being yelled out. Dirty Harry mentioned the distance was more than 0.10 miles. Not my fault, I had it all planned out near the AO and measured perfectly. Oh well, life will always throw you a curve ball. Learn to adapt.

With 5 mins remaining, we found a wall for some arm raises and B2W. I added a twist to the B2W by making the Pax lift one foot off the wall.

COT:

Announcements: F3 Dads on Saturdays at 9am

Dirty Harry reminded us to not be complacent with ourselves and friends. It was deep, thank you.

Prayers: Keep our brothers who are unable to post in our thoughts and prayers.

It was an honor to lead such a great group of men. Chicken Hawk up next to Q on Q 6/24/19!

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Stairway to Heaven??

I’ve been fart sacking a bit so it was good DirtyHarry called me out to lead the Badger.  There’s nothing like getting back in the groove than Qing the Badger.  I wanted to make it a special one so I did some reconnaissance work the day prior and found some good accessories for the workout.  We honored fallen soldier and Officer Timothy Brenton.

Warmup with Imperial Walkers, Side straddle hops, Tappy Taps, Windmills, Honeymooner, Downward dog

The thang

Took a short mosey to the band practice field at the top of the hill.  In honor of Timothy Brenton we started with a 100’ (or so) bear crawl and back across the field with standing broad jumps.

Station 1 = 39 squats, Station 2 = 39 dips on benches, Station 3 = 39 merkins, Station 4 (Stairway to Heaven) – some may argue whether it was a true stairway to heaven.  PAX lifted heavy concrete blocks to the top of the stairway for 10 overhead presses, with a nice view of downtown Charlotte to ease the pain. Rinse and repeat X4

PAX Carried the blocks a few hundred feet around the corner of the school and laid them to rest.  Found a nice long wall to continue to blast our quads with wall sits.  Moved down to the cafeteria, found some nice benches, and continued working the chest with decline and incline merkins in unison.

Mosey down to the pull up bars to get a set of 10 in then made our way to COT.  Finished off with crunchy frogs, hello dollies, LBCs, and a stargazer pose.

Prayers for health amongst the PAX, family, and coworkers and praises for new promotions.

Announcements – Cannoli Run this weekend

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31 Heroes

Disclaimer
Short Mosey
Warmup:
SSH (IC 12x)
Windmill (IC 12x)
Imperial Walker (IC 12x)
Cherry pckers (IC 12x)
Low Slow Squats (IC12x)
Merkin (IC 12x)
Peter Parker (IC 12x)
Plank stretches
Downward dog
Honeymooner

Thang 1
Honoring the 31 Heroes of Chinook flight Extortion 17, shot down in Afghanistan in 2011.
Routine
Partner up
Partner 1 runs 400M loop
Partner 2 begins exercise routine:
31 LBCs (switches to heels to heaven about half way )
31 CCD’s (switches to Dips)
31 Squats (switches to Calf raises)
P1 picks up where P2 left off
Cycle through for 31 mins

Run to Pull up bars
Thang 2
Honoring Senior Chief Petty Officer Kraig Vickers (one of the 31 heroes aboard Extortion 17).  Kraig was a Hawaii native.
10 L pullups
10 toes-to-bar
10 chin ups
10 knees-to-elbow
10 Burpee pullups

Mosey back to COT area
Five minutes of Mary

COT
Prayers/Praises
Goruck went well and no injured PAX
Prayers for Stang and his family with the loss of his grandfather; prayers for those in medical care; praises for PL’s baby getting past eczema.

Welcome FNG Alchemy, who is Dirty Harry’s nephew in the CLT area for some weeks and will be posting with us.

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Honoring the fallen @honeybadger

 

The count was 14 on this day…

On this day it was truly an honor to be able to remember my friend, Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Dudley. He Passed on July 7, 2011 near Helmand Province, Afghanistan. TJ was flying in a mission to deliver supplies, including three 150-pound Pelican cases containing communications equipment. Everything was going well until the crew thought they were in immediate danger. Scrambling to leave the area quickly which unfortunately was something they did not have to do, things quickly went wrong. In the haste to get back into the Osprey, the crew neglected to tie down the Pelican cases and also did not tether into their gunners’ belts so when TJ ran back to man the M240G machine gun the cases began to move about in the aircraft. A lance corporal was unable to contain the heavy Pelican cases when the aircraft began accelerate and two of the cases flew to the back of the aircraft, striking TJ and that caused him to flip over the gun and fall to his ultimate demise.

TJ was a great man, he was a firefighter, a soldier, and paramedic, and most importantly, a father. He is survived by his wife and three kids who were 13, 5, and 23 months old at his death. TJ loved listening to Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen and was always a joy to be around. Gone but never forgotten! My ability to go out and enjoy fellowship with other men at F3 is in part because of people like TJ and we should never forget what these men and women sacrifice for us! Thanks so much for your service!

Mozy down to 50 yard line on the field for a small warm-up in cadence

Side straddle hop, squats, merkins- 10 each

The Thang…

Partner up

My way of paying homage to TJ was to keep with the numbers associated with his death.

Dora-ish workout

150 per exercise in rotating fashion

1st round is squats

2nd round is Merkins

3rd round is LBC’s

4th round is Calf Raises

5th round is jump squats

6th round is fluter kicks-double count

7th round is mountain climbers-double count

P1 runs 50 yards to end zone and back while P2 does the exercise and then you switch until done.

We also had a kettle bell that we passed up and down the line so that each PAX member could carry it periodically.

rinse and repeat…

We listened to Bon Jovi and The Boss, of course!

Mozy back to COT for name-o-rama, announcements and prayers

 

Thanks to Dirty Harry for the opportunity to lead and thanks to all PAX who made it out!

-Slash

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US Army Staff Sgt / NYPD Police Officer James McNaughton

We had 23 PAX show up for my VQ this morning….the support was much appreciated.

The morning started with a quick jog around the NAFO parking lot and ended with a standard warm-up of  Imperial Walkers, Morrocan Nighclubs  and Hillbilly Walkers.

Today we Honored a Fallen Soldier and NYPD Police Officer and our workout consisted of :

10 Burpees and a 100 yard run

27 Merkins and a 100 yard run

10 Donkey Kicks and a 100 yard run

27 Big Boy situps and you guessed it a 100 yard run

10 Lunges and a 100 yard run

27 Squats and who would have thought another 100 yard run

We Rinsed and Repeated ….. Some rinsed and repeated more than others.

Thanks to Dirty Harry and Punchlist for pushing me to lead this great group of men and getting my VQ under my belt.

Shield

 

 

 

 

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First Lieutenant Ashley White-Stumpf

YHC actually woke up for this Q!

10 Pax showed up at 0500 with 1 arriving a little late but joined after we finished the warm-up.

Warm-up:

Moseyed to lower parking lot

Standard warm-up consisting of Morrocan night clubs, Al Gore Nightclubs, Windmill, Hillbilly Walker and Imperial Walkers.

The Thang:

Congregrate at the pull-up bars to learn about First Lieutenant Ashley White-Stumpf.

5 Rounds:

20 Pull-ups

10 Toes to Bar

21 Walking Lunges

400m Run

Once the 6 finished, we did a little Walk like an Egyptian, Ranger Merkins and some abs.

 

Thank you to Dirty Harry for the opportunity to lead!

Wegmans

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No foolin’ at The Honey Badger today

17 PAX attended (probably most of them by accident) Ass kickin’ April Year 2.  AKAY2 started at the Badger today with YHC on Q (to make sure I post for day 1).  AKAY2 is a different AO every day (excluding Sunday) for the month of April.  Get to know the region by posting somewhere else.  Here is the schedule (shameless plug):

Today we honored a fallen soldier and YHC modified his workout.  See below for the Thang (the run portion was .33 miles):

Rinse and Repeat – I think the leaders got to a second round of the Squats.  The doubling up on the Burpees was a crowd pleaser….

There was a Shovel Flag hand-off this morning from the scarcely-posting Cheddah to the ever-posting Dirty Harry! Proof (that Cheddah even posted) below:

Prayers for new job opportunities, surgeries, injured PAX and unspoken.

FunHouse

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Being Vulnerable is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength

P.S.A attendance is highly recommended. March 27th mark your calendars. F3 St. Louis very own Miyagi and Aerobie has brought light to a sensitive subject that’s right Suicide-mental health awareness. A subject we try and avoid talking about at all or till it’s to late. YHC will be on Q at the Panethon if you can’t make it to the west side of town Stang is on Q at Tomahawk and will also discussing the subject.

I am encouraging you to step up and share your experience. Whether it be about yourself or family member or even a friend. YHC will testify how this subject has effected my life. Please remember what we talk about in COT stays in COT it’s okay to be vulnerable. We are stronger together rather than alone.

Quotes
Don’t be ashamed of your story it will inspire others. Author Unknown

“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.”

”I hide all my scars with an I’m fine.”

The bravest thing I ever did was continuing my life when I wanted to die. – Juliette Lewis

The world is a better place with you in it.

Suicide doesn’t end the chances of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of it ever getting any better. – unknown

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Travis Manion Ruck WOD 4/27

PAX, we are teaming with CrossFit and Ruck Clubs across the country to honor Travis Manion (USMC), killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates.  Today, his legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment.  “If Not Me, Then Who…”

Support his Foundation by doing the Manion WOD on April 27, 2019 at Walter Elisha Park starting at 6:30am.  They have created our own ticket to register with under: F3 Fort Mill/Lake Wylie Ruckers.  Cost is $35.00

The Manion WOD w/Ruck is:

-400 meter run

-29 Ruck Squats w/#40 sandbag

-7 Rounds

Sign up here:  https://donate.travismanion.org/event/2019-manion-wod-for-ruck-clubs/e220757.

Note:  Due to order time on patches, if you want a patch the day of the event, you need to register by Mon, March 4th.  Otherwise, your patch will be mailed after completion of the event.

-Cobra Kai

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CURRAHEE!

Today, we honored the 101st Airborne Infantry, 506th PIR. Better known as Easy Company, or the Band of Brothers. These men went through so much in the name of freedom, have 50% casualties in Normandy alone, the first 20 days of their long time spent in Europe. From Normandy, to Holland, to Bastogne, to Haguenau, they fought. It is because of men like these that we have the freedoms we have now. 

Our training was to simulate 101st Basic at Toccoa, GA, with an emphasis on a mountain called Currahee. Three miles up, three miles down. 

506th Notable Casualties (in Bastogne specifically)

John T Julian

Warren H Muck

Alex M Penkala

Carl C Sawosko

Harold D Webb

Kenneth J Webb

Donald B Hoobler

Richard J Hughes

Eugen E Jackson

A.P. Herron

John E Shindell

Francis J Mellett

Workout below. 

Warm Up

Disclaimer, ask for FNGs

Mosey to Pull Up Bars – 10 Pull Ups OYO

Mosey to Football Field Gates

Circle Up

SSH x 23

Merkins x 10

Plank Jacks x 10

Peter Parkers x 10

Honey Mooners/Downward Dog

Low Slow Squat x 17

Al Gores – Talk about 101st Airborne, 506th PIR, Currahee, Two Years of Training, Operation Overlord, Battle of Normandy

I tried to run and read off of my phone between circuits, but it proved to be impossible. So we ran and then I told a story after each circuit. 

 

Run 2 Laps in Formation

Speech 1

On June 5th, 1944, the American paratroopers were told to get on their gear, pack their chutes, and get ready to jump. Skepticism of if this jump would be scrubbed by weather too ran high, several jumps in the days prior had been announced and then cancelled as the men were loading into their aircraft. But this time the paratroopers knew it would probably be the real deal. As the sun began to set, paratroopers were packing all of their essential items including: ammunition, grenades, explosive blocks, gammom bombs, reserve chute, extra jump cord, identification clicker, jump knife, bayonet, machete, firearm, first aid kit, cigarettes, and rations.

Many knew this might be the last time they ever see the sun, and for many it would be. All together their gear weighed over one hundred pounds, so the vast majority of the paratroopers had to be pushed and pulled into their aircraft. They said a final prayer, took their air sickness pills, and then took off for Fortress Europe. 

Circuit 1 – Bleachers

Partner Workout(s)

DORA 

Run Up and Down bleachers Twice/Swap

100 – 150 – 200

Merkins – Squats – Dips

Flutters while waiting for the six

 

Speech 2 

Over the Channel, many were awe-struck as they passed over the invasion fleet that, like themselves, was heading for Normandy. As the approached the Cotentin Peninsula, the red light came on. The Airborne were told to be standing when they came over France so they could “take the Flak like men.” As they stood up, they heard what sounded like thunder. Then, all of the sudden, all hell broke loose. The C-47s had flown into the the jaws of hell itself, and there was a fogbank covering the penisula making formation flying and finding your dropzone nearly impossible. The flak and tracers lit up the sky “like the 4th of July”, and when it hit your aircraft it sounded like “pebbles being shaken in a can.” As the aircraft veered and sped up, attempting to dodge the Flak, men were falling over one another and sliding around on the vomit that covered the floor. Several aircraft were hit and exploded mid-air, while others dove towards the ground. Usually, nobody could get out of these doomed C-47s. Some transports went too low, and the poor paratroopers inside had no time to deploy their parachutes. A member of the 101st Airborne once said the sound that was made when they hit the ground was like “pumpkins smashing into the ground.

 

Run 2 Laps

Circuit 2 – Endzone

Partner 1 Bear Crawl – Partner 2 (10) Plank Jacks – P2 Catches P1/Switch – Length of Field ON Track or Field

Endzones – 10 Donkey Kicks

Out & Back

Low Plank in waiting for group when completed

 

Speech 3 

With aircraft going down everywhere, flak tearing into their aircraft, and limited visibility, many pilots dropped their passengers wherever they could. Many landed over large areas of swamp, others landed in the channel. Weighed down by over 120 pounds of gear and a harness that took over a minute to get off, the vast majority of those who landed in the Channel or the swamps drowned; sometimes in less than 3 feet of water. Those who landed over land obviously had a somewhat better chance at survival. As they gently made their way towards the ground, they could see all the chaos that was happening above and below them. Many paratroopers recall barely being missed by German 20mm and machine gun fire. Others were not as lucky, being hit and killed in their harnesses. Some rounds even hit their explosives, imploding them in mid-air. Those who made it to the ground were typically alone, surrounded by the enemy, and had little sense of their bearings other than that they were in Normandy. The force at which so many had exited their aircraft tore off most of their gear. Major Winters only had his jump knife when he hit the ground. These paratroopers were completely surrounded, most without adequate weaponry, most far away from their DZs, and most alone. Despite this, they still set out towards their objective or at least the nearest one. Having studied massive sandtables of the entire Normandy coast and every unit’s objectives, many paratroopers were able to get an idea of their bearings and start heading towards their objectives. During their march to them, they would find buddies or fellow paratroopers along the way. This is how the whole night went, small make-shift units of paratroopers from different units, working together and fighting together to whichever objective they were heading.

 

Run 2 Laps

Circuit 3 – Endzone

Wheelbarrow 25 yds/Swap 

Length of Field

Endzone 1  – 5 Burpee Broad Jumps

Back Across

Endzone 2 – 5 Burpee Broad Jumps

Six Inches in Waiting for the Six

 

It was during this circuit that I realized something – wheelbarrows suck. Also, my apologies to Dirty Harry for encircling him in the worst gas bomb to ever be dropped on that football field. Kaiser and Wegmans were also affected.

 

Speech 4 

The fighting was incredibly chaotic in a terrain that favored the defensive. Despite the high amount of casualties that the US Airborne took, by sunrise most of the causeways and cities they had been tasked to take had been captured and secured. The Douvre and La Fiere bridges were still highly contested and wouldn’t be captured for another 9 or so days. On the morning of June 6th, many paratroopers took photographs and got some rest while they could. They knew the fight was not over, they had several other objectives as soon as the whole landing force was safely ashore. For the next 2-3 weeks, the American paratroopers would be fighting non-stop in the hedgrows and at places like Carentan. Many paratroopers were still trying to find their units even by June 16th, 1944. By June 20th, the American Airborne forces were being sent back to England to rest and prepare for their next jump. Out of the 17,000 American airborne forces who jumped or glided into Normandy, 1,003 would be killed, 2,657 would be wounded, and 4,490 would go missing; most of whom were captured during the early morning fighting. This jump proved the 101st Airborne’s worth and skill, cementing them as one of the most elite and effective airborne units in the world. During their brief time in Normandy, the American paratroopers earned the respect and admiration of the German forces who affectionately called them “Those devils in baggy pants!

 

Run 2 Laps

 

Back to COT for some Mary

Flutters

Heels to the Heavens

Low Plank hip dips

Hello Dolly

Announcements

Yeti 2/23 – Preblast is up.

Joe Davis Run 3/9 @ WEP – Preblast is up.

Prayers/Praises

Dirty Harry’s daughter is getting tubes put in her ears Thursday. Pray for her safety/comfort, and for DH to be a rock for his family. Also for the surgeons, anesthesiologist, and every person involved.

Wegman’s is going to Chimbote, Peru in February. Pray for his journey and the impact of F3 on the people they interact with. 

Praise – my 7 week old has slept three nights straight at 8+ hours. 

Other unspoken prayers. 

The men who show up to Honey Badger have become like brothers to me, as they show up every week and push themselves beyond what is a normal workout. They have an impact on me that is mostly unspoken. They lead in their families and communities, humbly. I am among heroes every Monday when I post. 

Thanks for the opportunity to lead among these men. 

Punch List Out. 

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