What:  12 Year Remembrance of the events of 9/11/2001

What to bring:  30lb Ruck  If you have a sandbag, bring that too.  If you don’t have a sandbag, come anyway, we will have plenty.

Where:  NAFO/Honey Badger

Why:  We all remember the events of 9/11.  I know EXACTLY where I was and what I was doing when I received word the first plane had struck the North Tower.  It is the reason many of the Cadre I have encountered through GORUCK went into service.  Our country was rocked and we don’t honor anything without it being hard.

When:  9/2  at the Honey Badger/NAFO. 0630 START TIME  Plan on 2 hours.

Here it is:

North Tower/Flight 11

0846 – Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower

76 passengers + 11 crew = 87 people

Round 1: 87 total reps

• 30 Plank Jacks
• Top of bleachers and back with sandbag
• 30 plank jacks
• Top of bleachers and back with sandbag
• 27 plank jacks
• Top of bleachers and back with sandbag

Round 2:  87 total reps

• 30 Curls
• Top of bleachers and back with sandbag
• 30 curls
• Top of bleachers and back with sandbag
• 27 curls
• Top of bleachers and back with sandbag

1028 – North Tower collapsed killing >1,600 people

• Run 1600 meters (1 mile)

Move to South Tower (Right Side of Home Bleachers)

South Tower/Flight 175

0903 – Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower

51 passengers + 9 crew = 60 people

Round 1:  60 total reps

• 20 Bentover rows
• Top of bleachers and back with sandbag
• 20 Bentover rows
• Top of bleachers and back with sandbag
• 20 Bentover rows
• Top of bleachers and back with sandbag

Round 2:  60 total reps

• 20 Overhead Press
• Top of bleachers and back with sandbag
• 20 Overhead Press
• Top of bleachers and back with sandbag
• 20 Overhead Press
• Top of bleachers and back with sandbag

Bonus Round:  Welles Remy Crowther aka “The Man in the Red Bandana” (see write up)

• Boston college Lacrosse jersey # 19
  • Perform 19 Man Makers

0959 – South Tower collapsed killing >800 people

• Ruck 800 meters

Move to The Pentagon (Football Field Endzone)

Pentagon/Flight 77

0937 – Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon

53 passengers +6 crew = 59 people

59 total reps

• 59 Burpees (slick)
• Run lap
• 59 Man Makers
• Ruck Lap
• 59 Big Boys (slick)
• Run Lap
• 59 Freddie Mercurys (slick)
• Ruck Lap

125 people in and around the pentagon killed by the impact

• Bear crawl 125 yards with ruck on

Move to Flight 93 (pull up bars)

Flight 93

1003 – Flight 93 crashed in a field near Shanksville, PA after passengers and crew storm the cockpit

33 passengers + 7 crew = 40 people

Round 1:  Start at the bottom of the hill

• Bear crawl to the first tree
• 2 Peter Parkers
• Run to the pull up bars
• 8 pull-ups

Round 2:  Start at the bottom of the hill

• Bear crawl to the first tree
• 2 Peter Parkers
• Bear crawl to the second tree
• 4 Peter Parkers
• Run to the pull up bars
• 8 pull-ups

Round 3:  Start at the bottom of the hill

• Bear crawl to the first tree
• 2 Peter Parkers
• Bear crawl to the second tree
• 4 Peter Parkers
• Bear crawl to the third tree
• 6 Peter Parkers
• Run to the pull up bars
• 8 pull-ups

Round 4:  Start at the bottom of the hill

• Bear crawl to the first tree
• 2 Peter Parkers
• Bear crawl to the second tree
• 4 Peter Parkers
• Bear crawl to the third tree
• 6 Peter Parkers
• Bear crawl to the fourth tree
• 8 Peter Parkers
• Run to the pull up bars
• 8 pull-ups

Round 5:  Start at the bottom of the hill

• Bear crawl to the first tree
• 2 Peter Parkers
• Bear crawl to the second tree
• 4 Peter Parkers
• Bear crawl to the third tree
• 6 Peter Parkers
• Bear crawl to the fourth tree
• 8 Peter Parkers
• Bear crawl to the fifth tree
• 10 Peter Parkers
• Run to the pull up bars
• 8 pull-ups

(Total of 40 pull ups)

1 Mile Run Finish

Move to North Tower (Left Side of Home Bleachers)

Welles Remy Crowther

On September 11, 2001, nine minutes after United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower between floors 77 and 85 at 9:03 a.m., Crowther called his mother from his office at 9:12 a.m., leaving the message, “Mom, this is Welles. I wanted you to know that I’m OK.” Crowther made his way to the 78th-floor sky lobby, where he encountered a group of survivors, including a badly burned Ling Young.  Young had been one of about 200 people waiting at a bank of elevators to evacuate when the plane hit the South Tower and was one of the few survivors. Crowther, carrying a young woman on his back, directed them to the one working stairway. He escorted them 17 floors down and then returned to the 78^th floor while wearing a red bandana around his nose and mouth to protect him from smoke and haze. He found another group of survivors, Crowther assisted in putting out fires and administering first aid. He then announced to that group, “Everyone who can stand, stand now. If you can help others, do so.” He directed this group downstairs as well. As occupants of the Tower headed for the street, Crowther returned up the stairs to help others. He was last seen doing so with members of the FDNY before the South Tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m.

Crowther’s body was found in March 2002, alongside several firefighters and emergency workers bunched in a suspected command post in the South Tower lobby. The New York medical examiner’s office said his body was found intact, with no signs of burns, and that authorities speculated that he was aiding the rescue effort as a civilian usher when the building collapsed. Crowther’s family was unaware of the details of his activities between his last phone call to his mother and his death, until Allison Crowther read survivors’ firsthand accounts in The New York Times of being saved by a man in a red bandana, which led to Allison meeting with the people Welles had saved.  They confirmed from photographs the identity of the man who aided them. According to survivor accounts, Crowther saved as many as 18 people following the attacks.

Pax of The Fort, I’m challenging you to seize the arrival of August as a time to recommit to our mission to invigorate Male Community Leadership.  The start of school is on its way.  The season of vacations and less routine is winding down.  The opportunity to re-establish routines and re-engage in our community is upon us.

As next week builds toward a Convergence on Friday and Stuff-the-Bus on Saturday, I’d like to highlight the combined power of Fitness, Fellowship and Faith to invigorate men and to impact communities.  For every post by a pax at an official Fort activity during the week of 7/31, a donation will be made in honor of pax of The Fort.  As of July 30th, the donation amount is $6.00 per post.  That’s right, 10 pax at Flight Plan equals $60.  Same for all workouts.  And the same for our 2^nd and 3^rd F activities.  To qualify, the pax must show up in a backblast for workouts or in a photo on Slack for 2^nd and 3^rd F events.

The funds will be allocated as follows:

• 40% to Stuff-the-Bus
• 40% to Bethel Men’s Shelter
• 20% to The Fort’s operating fund to cover comz and other admin expenses

So, get out of the fartsack, stay after the workout for 2^nd or 3^rd F, and volunteer for our service initiatives.  All you have to do is show up.  Your presence impacts our community!

Multiple pax are contributing to the cause.  And all are welcome to join the matching campaign at any level.  Just DM me on Slack to inspire the pax even more!

I’m pleased to share the news that on August 4^th, Esso will take the Shovel Flag as Nantan of The Fort!  I hope you’ll join me at The Ballroom (Pleasant Knoll Middle School) at 0515 that morning for a convergence workout when we’ll honor this HIM as he steps forward to lead us on the next 43 Feet.

At this stage of The Fort’s history, as we approach our 11^th anniversary, we’re one of the “mature” regions in F3 Nation.  We reached the point several years ago where we “checked all the boxes” so to speak – numerous daily 1^st F activities, regular 2^nd F and 3^rd F activities, local CSAUPs, a prevalence of Shield Lock and Whetstone groups, an active commitment to community service, stable SLT structure, vibrant Comz platforms, etc.  This is a sign of riches, ones we might even take for granted at times.  In fact, this is a point where complacency could set in if we’re not careful.

Yet, even as a mature region, I’d suggest we’re just now entering the phase where we can really begin to bear fruit in a significant way.

Like a tree, The Fort experienced a period of vigorous growth in the early years.  Some of those early shoots withered amid hard freezes or arid periods.  Over the following  years, we saw many branches grow stronger and sturdier.  We’re able to sustainably withstand the impact of life’s storms on our pax, shifting participation and engagement patterns based on the seasons, and even a global pandemic.  Through all this, our region has continued to grow, often in ways we don’t easily recognize – deeper roots, broader canopy, thicker trunk.

As we often say, our mission is aimed at “invigorating Male Community Leadership.”  Male leaders impacting our community, that’s our fruit.  I’ve seen vivid examples of this fruit in the past few weeks from photos on Slack – a kitchen at Bethel Men’s Shelter overflowing with pax, Ms and 2.0s, a similar crowd at trash pick-up, and another group of pax and community leaders supporting Defend the Fatherless at a Pints & Padres cookout.  This certainly isn’t the first fruit from The Fort, nor or these the only avenues for bearing fruit.  But I believe these reflect a small sample of the abundant fruit that lies ahead for us.

As I think about our community and leadership, I’m thrilled by the prospect of Esso leading us at this moment.  We have huge potential to expand our profile in the local community and to elevate our development of leaders to impact the community.  Esso is a Fort Mill native, with long and deep community ties.  His story includes personal growth that’s been turbo-charged by his F3 journey.  Plus, he’s a sales and marketing leader with the expertise to amplify The Fort’s presence and to inspire the pax.

So, get your six over to The Ballroom on August 4^th and prepare to fuel up on inspiration!

Before you hit the parade, light up the grill, or put the speedo on to the clear out the community pool, join us for a 4th of July celebration.  Grab Uncle Joe or your neighbor and head over to The Colosseum for a great workout

Details:

Date:  07/04/23

Time:  05:30 (Pre-run 05:00)

Location:  Gold Hill Middle School

There will be running/rucking options available starting at 05;00 (or earlier)

1. 5k Pre-run Link

2, 17.76k Three Flag Salute (You won’t be back for the workout unless you are really, really fast)  Link

3.  10k One Flag Salute Link