Honoring 5 heroes from 9/11 at the Honey Badger

16 PAX joined me to honor our fallen heroes, this time I went off the book and decided to do my own version and honor some of the heroes from the tragedy of 9/11.

-During the September 11 of 2001 attacks, 2,977 people were killed (excluding the 19 hijackers) and more than 6,000 others injured

-The immediate deaths included 265 on the four planes (including the terrorists), 2,606 in the World Trade Center and in the surrounding area, and 125 at the Pentagon

-Of those who perished during the initial attacks and the subsequent collapses of the towers, 343 were New York City firefighters, 23 were New York City police officers and 37 were officers at the Port Authority.

We had hundreds of heroes that day but I decided to honor 5 that made a great impact, they are not in any specific order but here are their names:

  1. NYPD Officer Moira Smith was the first officer to report the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 when she saw the first plane strike the first tower of the World Trade Center. Smith, a 13-year veteran, ran into the towers and began assisting in the evacuation. Officer Smith is credited with saving hundreds of lives that day, giving her own in the process. She was the only female NYPD officer to die on 9/11.
    She was survived by her 2-year-old daughter and her husband.
  1. Welles Crowther was an investment banker working on the 104th floor of 2 World Trade Center (the south tower). When United Airlines Flight 175 struck the south tower, Crowther remained calm. Just minutes after the plane hit, Crowther called his mother to let her know he was okay. He then began assisting others in evacuating, at one point carrying a woman down 17 flights of stairs, only to return to the 78th floor to continue helping others.
    Crowther had made it out of the building and was running back into it with a “Jaws of Life” tool when the tower collapsed. He was 24 years old.
  1. Mark Bingham ark owned a public relations firm, the Bingham Group. He was a passenger on board United Airlines Flight 93. Bingham was among the passengers who, along with Todd Beamer, Tom Burnett and Jeremy Glick, formed the plan to retake the plane from the hijackers, and led the effort that resulted in the crash of the plane into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, thwarting the hijackers’ plan to crash the plane into a building in Washington, D.C., most likely either the U.S. Capitol Building or the White House. Before their final mission, Mark called his mother and told her that he loved her very much. His mother, Alice Hoagland, is a former flight attendant. Since Mark’s death, she has become a world-renowned expert on airline safety as well as an activist for LGBTQ issues in memory of her heroic son.
  2. Ronald Paul Bucca was a Fire Marshal with 23 years on the job with FDNY. An Army Special Forces reservist, Bucca was known as “The Flying Fireman” after a spectacular fall from a tenement fire escape. Bucca, a marathon runner, died responding to the 78th floor of the south tower moments before it collapsed.
    He was the only FDNY Fire Marshal to be killed on 9/11.
  1. Retired United States Army Officer Rick Rescorla was working as the head of security at Morgan Stanley on the 44th floor when tragedy struck. Rick was there during the bombing at the Trade Center in 1993 and believe that the Towers were still a target for terrorists. He even predicted that a plane might be flown into them one day. He implemented security procedures for Morgan Stanley, including having practice evacuations every three months.
    On 9/11, Rick systematically helped the firm’s 1,000 employees out by ordering them through the stairways. He sang a Cornish battle song to boost morale, as he had done for his troops in Vietnam. After someone told him that he also needed to evacuate Rick said, “As soon as I make sure everyone else is out”. He was last seen heading up the tenth floor when the Tower collapsed.

WARM UP

We started with a slow mossey around the parking lot with some toy soldiers in between runs.

Back to COP for warm up exercises:

Windmill

Moroccan night clubs

Low Slow Squats (crowd favorites)

Cherry pickers

THE THANG

Mosseyed to the pull up bars area were some utensils had been setup for the following 9-11 format WO, 9 exercises with 11 reps each and then RUN down the hill to the stop sign and NUR back up, RINSE AND REPEAT, the plan was to do this 5 times, one for each hero but due to time restriction we completed 4 circuits with just enough time to run back to COT for announcements, prayers and praises.

11 pull ups BAR

11 big boy situps

11 toes to BAR

11 sledgehammer swing

11 knee raises BAR

11 merkins

11 slam ball to ground

11 Carolina dry docks

11 tire flips

It was a tough workout but it’s totally worth it when honoring our heroes; everyone pushed themselves through it with lots of mumble chatter but at the end we left better men!!

I was honored to Q the Honey Badger this week, thank you Dirty Harry for the opportunity to lead. #NeverForget

TINSEL out…

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3 X 12 at Varsity

Eight men in total posted at Varsity for a Tabata routine workout on a somewhat breezy morning.
Started with six pax and then an additional two Iron Pax gents joined in about 20 mins into the workout.

Warm Up
Mosey run
SSH (IC 10x)
Windmill (IC 10x)
Imperial Walker (IC 10x)
Merkins (IC 10X)
Plank stretches
Downward dog
Honeymooner
5 Pullups OYO

The tabata routine noted below was three sets of four exercises repeated three times, hence 3×12,

Thang 1:  I used the Seconds Pro timer to prompt us through the thang.  Also had tunes going.
Interval routines: exercise for 32 seconds, rest/transition for 10 seconds
Set #1:
Imperial Walkers
Dips
LBCs
Bobby Hurley’s
Repeat 3x

Short mosey Run

Set #2:
windmills
American Hammers
Step ups
OH claps
Repeat 3x

Short mosey Run

Set #3:
Derkins
flutters
Cherry pickers
Bomb jacks
Repeat 3x

Thang 2:
Sally routine (Moby’s song Flower): Leg lifts (down position should be 6″ off the deck)

Fini, COT

The 3×12 tabata was decent, but I’d bump it up to 45 seconds on exercise next time.

Doing the Sally  routine with leg lifts is a different take on the high plank/low plank version of it.  But it still rage-worthy by the twentieth time Moby cycles through “Bring Sally Up, Bring Sally Down”

Playlist:
The Man (Killers)
Got Nuffin (Spoon)
Higher Ground (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Come on feel the noise (Quiet Riot)
South Bound Suarez (Led Zeppelin)
We Will Rock You (Queen)
Fire (Hendrix, live)
See Emily Play (Pink Floyd)
Living in the USA (Steve Miller Band)
Flower (Moby)

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Power 10 Catch Me If You Can

20 HIM Caught each other in a Power 10 Catch Me If You Can workout with partners

Power 10 – 10 reps of exercise, 9 reps, 8 reps…1 rep

Partner 1 starts with 10 reps of exercise while Partner 2 nurs or runs slow. Partner 1 sprints to catch up, then Partner 2 does 10 reps while P1 continues on.  P2 catches P1 and P1 starts 9 reps, keep going thru 1 rep.  Then start next exercise.

PAX modified some by adding bear crawls or lunges instead of the NUR or slow run.  Some did 10 of each exercise before moving on the 9.  All finished roughly the same time just in time for COT.

DarkHelmet called it “Spicy”

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Extortion 17 – CPO Mills

Fourteen men came out Honey Badger for a Hero-based workout.

Disclaimer
Short Mosey
Warmup:
SSH (IC 12x)
Windmill (IC 12x)
Imperial Walker (IC 12x)
Cherry pickers (IC 12x)
Low Slow Squats (IC12x)
Merkin (IC 12x)
Peter Parker (IC 12x)
Plank stretches
Downward dog
Honeymooner
Run to ROTC building,
Read Extortion 17 page 152 of Hero book, text is copied at end of BB.

Thang 1 Honoring Extortion 17
Pax count off by three’s and report to their station.
Each station has three exercises; Pax do exercise for 1 minute, then get a 8 second rest/transition. Go through all three and then repeat that cycle one more time (used a timer app on the cell phone to prompt transitions).
Station 1 (6 mins)
1 Curls, block
2 squats, block
3 KB swings, block

Station 2 (6 min)
1 LBC
2 dips
3 American Hammers

Station 3 (6 min)
1 Knees to chest
2 Mtn Climbers
3 Low plank

After first six-minute set, all pax run to parking spot #31 (approx. 950’ one way)
Do 17 burpees
Run back to ROTC building
Pax rotate to next station

After second six-minute set, all pax run to parking spot 17
Bear Crawl to spot 31
Do 6 burpees
All Run back to ROTC building
Pax rotate to next station

After completion of third set: pax wall sit. Read CPO Stephen Matt Mills bio (was on Extortion 17), text is copied at end of BB.

Thang 2 Honoring CPO Mills
Wall sit and all pax hand over 15 lb slam ball. Back and forth for 6 loops.
Short mosey run
Do global warming routine for a few rounds.  End with 8 burpees OYO.

Then 5 min of mary.

Fini, COT

NMM
I last Q’d Honey Badger in May and honored Extortion 17 back then, with a secondary Thang honoring SCPO Kraig Vickers (also on Extortion 17).

Today’s routine was slightly confusing for the first round, but all pax got the hang of it for the remainder.

Had an FNG, last name spinner and he got “Fidget” as his nickname. I forgot to reiterate the five core principles of F3 for the FNG…should have done that at the beginning of the workout.

Prayers for school starting peacefully and with patience.

Extortion 17

On August 6, 2011, a U.S. Army CH-47D Chinook helicopter approached a landing zone in Afghanistan 40 miles southwest of Kabul. The helicopter, call sign Extortion 17, was on a mission to reinforce American and coalition special operations troops. Insurgents fired at the Chinook, severed one of its rear rotor blades, and brought it crashing to the ground. All 38 onboard perished instantly in the single greatest moment of sacrifice for Americans in the war in Afghanistan. Those killed were some of the U.S.’s most highly trained and battle-honed commandos.  31 US service personnel, one canine, and 7 Afghans were on the flight.

CPO Stephen “Matt” Mills
Chief Petty Officer Stephen Matthew “Matt” Mills, was born Oct. 25, 1975 in Austin, Texas.
Shortly after his high school graduation, Matt enlisted and reported to the Great Lakes Naval Training center in Illinois in January 1997. Upon completion of basic training he was stationed aboard the USS KINCAID and served for three years.
Very early on, Matt knew he wanted to be wanted to be Navy SEAL and in June 2000 he entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training.
Upon completion, the Navy commissioned Matt Mills as a SEAL reporting to SEAL team Three on Sept. 11, 2001. Mills later completed the process that it takes to become a member of the elite Team 6.
Matt Mills completed numerous deployments around the world in support of the Global War on Terror and was a highly decorated combat veteran, having served in Iraq and Afghanistan and earned numerous awards including:
Two Bronze Stars Medal with Valor
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Valor
Presidential Unit Citation
Purple Heart

Chief Mills was an avid hunter and enjoyed anything outdoors. Matt is survived by his widow Keri, sons Cash and Bryce, daughter Zoe, his parents Steve and Cheryl, and siblings Michael and Ashley.

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2019 Q3 PFT at The Coop

8 men came out to see where they stand on the 2019 Q3 PFT.  YHC is on the IR for a tummy issue.  Youts is the only 3 Peat Participant.  And WOW has he made some awesome progress!  Here are the numbers:

 

Here are ALL the numbers:

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The Honey Badger 1776 Challenge

There was alot of chitter chatter on Twitter…..and Slack……leading up to this workout on 7/1 regarding posting to Badger or some other location in the greater Fort area. I ponder if some thought my idea of a finishing this Badger workout with an earned patch was like luring kids with candy and less worthy. I guess others though 0430 wakeup was a little too early, disturbing their beauty sleep, and had to lament about that as well (even though preruns and prerucks some participate in do indeed launch around that time). I guess  some people still think Badger workouts ONLY come from a book.

Well, I like to think they were all wrong. If others chose to not post to Badger, that’s their choice. That’s part of what 7/4/1776 is all about.

But 11 HIMs did show up early. They heard my disclaimer. We had a VERY brief warmup run then the  COP right at the start

15-20 or so of the following to loosen up a little:
* SSH
* Windmill
* IW
* MNC
* and a few other things

Then off we went to the track/football field for the main event.

The Honey Badger 1776 Challenge

Laps of 400m runs, plus 1,776 Exercises
Not many words of inspiration. Get right into it. OYO, You vs you. Similar to the Fort’s infamous Board of Pain, but I tweaked it a little because wanted everyone to complete it in around 90 minutes, not get 1/2 way only to come back a week later to get 1/2 way again. Q Special was  – if running out of time – allow folks to team up to accumulate/add reps together. Goal is for everyone to complete it in 1.5 hrs or so. We did not need it.
  1. 50 Burpees
  2. 100 Calf Raises (50 Reg / 50 Toe out)
  3. 100 Ski Abs (DC)
  1. RUN 400m
  1. 100 Merkins
  2. 100 LSS
  3. 100 LBC
  1. RUN 400m
  1. 100 CDD
  2. 100 Jump Squat
  3. 100 AMERICAN Hammer (DC)
  1. Run 400m
  1. 100 Overhead Clap
  2. 100 Mountain Climbers (DC)
  3. 100 Hello Dolly
  1. Run 400m
  2. Q Special – Teaming can start after this run pending time remaining
  1. 100 Wide Arm Merkin
  2. 100 Jump Lunge (SC)
  3. 100 Flutter (DC)
  1. Run 400m
  1. 100 Plank Shoulder Tap (SC)
  2. 100 Hillbilly Walker AND – Badger Challenge of 100m Crab Walk
  3. 100 SSH AND – Badger Challenge of 100m Bear Crawl
  1. Run 400m
  1. 26 Burpees
  2. CROSS THE FINISH WITH 400m RUN!!

Music was provided. Not the death metal Dirty wanted to satisfy his unicorn rainbow spirit animal urges, but what I provided was good enough. MAN WAS IT HOT!! We all were completely coated in those little rubber pellets in the artificial turf field. Longshanks was King for sure, but we all pushed each other through it and everyone completed it. That was the goal, and we met it.

As we were around #12 or so the sun started coming up…..an amazing red glow that got brighter and more vibrant as daybreak drew closer. We all took a moment now and then to admire God’s creative artistry on display. It was absolutely stunning. and seeing it as your rounded the curve halfway through a lap was quite motivating. It gave you that little boost only He can do.

Back to the COT for a little discussion on Freedom, getting patched, and A/P/P.

Those who were there earned a “Freedom Isn’t Free” patch. Yes, a patch. For one, in honor of 7/4/1779. For two, the BoP is pretty much a mini CSAUP. Completing a slightly watered down version (half the running. a few different exercises, but more exercises) IMO warranted something to remember that.

Freedoom Isn’t Free

As well drew close to Independence Day on that Monday, I wanted everyone to remember what went into achieving our independence. It is not just about the soldiers who fought and died in the Revolutionary War. They are a huge part of why we have our independence, but so are the people who essentially started the war. In the years leading up to it, the men and women behind the rebellion from British rule were forging the foundation of a new, independent country knowing that their actions could lead to their own death, or to harm of their loved ones. That took alot of courage to stand behind their convictions. They wanted this country to stand and prosper on its own ruling power, but in order to do that they collectively had to stand and fight on their own willpower. They knew that once they declared freedom from the Kingdom of Great Britain, there was no turning back. Either they would become a free country, or they would all die trying. When those 56 men of the Second Continental Congress from the Thirteen Colonies that made up the fledgling nation signed the Declaration of Independence, they knew the gravity of the situation but were more than willing to do so. Their act of signing and ratifying the Declaration of Independence was an act of treason, punishable by death. Those men were hunted down. Their properties, belongings seized. Their families were taken prisoner or sometimes executed as well. But that did not matter to them. While other men were dying on the battlefield, they were dying behind the lines. MANY made the ultimate sacrifice to forge our freedoms. To this day MANY have made the ultimate sacrifice since to ensure they remain in place. Never forget that. Never take anything you are blessed with in this country for granted, for there are MANY with MUCH less. Pay what you have forward to others less fortunate, even if it means taking risks – however they may affect you –  to do so. That’s how this country, and world, will get better. That’s how our country was born.

Happy Independence Day!! Happy Birthday USA!!

Thanks for the opportunity to lead.
-NASA

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Dance Party at Varsity

Nine men came out to the party.  Weather was perfect.
Warm up
Mosey Run
Circle up and do:
SSH (IC 12x)
Windmill (IC 12x)
Imperial Walker (IC 12x)
Moroccan Nightclub (IC 12x)
Low Slow Squats (IC12x)
Merkin (IC 12x)
Peter Parker (IC 12x)
Plank stretches
Downward dog
Honeymooner

Thang 1: Elevens
Pull ups at the top of the hill
Bobby Hurleys at bottom
Start at bottom of hill

Thang 2: Global Warming
side shuffle in a circle and call exercises
SSH
Bobby Hurleys
Mountain Climbers
OH claps
Arm Circles
Etc

Thang 3: Sally Routine
Low plank/high plank [Flower by Moby]

Five minutes of Mary
Abs: LBC, freddie mercury,

Word of the month is: Salvation
This verse spoke to me: Matthew 7:13. Reminds me of the guardrails we need in our lives.
The Narrow and Wide Gates
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

COT
Prayers/Praises include: all the school kids at home and the energy they have during the summer months.

music playlist:
Takin’ care of business (BTO)
Big Bottom (Spinal Tap)
Back Door Man (the Doors)
the Man (the Killers)
Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin)
My Hero (Foo Fighters)
Fire (Jimi Hendrix)
19th nervous breakdown (rolling stones)
Today (Smashing pumpkins)

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Hillbillies on the Loose at The Coop

Wednesdays are great. You’re in the middle of the workout week and your body and mind are prime to push things a bit. Today was no exception at the Coop.

No FNGs. Disclaimer was disclaimed. Off we went.

Slow mosey around the parking lot and pretty much back to the COT area for the COP:

15-30 of the following, keeping folks off balance:
* SSH
* WM
* IW
* MNC
* LSS

Then off to the track for the following:

Hillbilly 12s:

You vs you, as far as you can push it. 12 rounds of the following:

  1. 12 burping hillbillies (BH), then 1 humping hillbilly (HH), then one lap running the track (400m)
  2. 11 BH, then 2 HH, then 1 lap
  3. 10 BH, 3 HH, 1 lap
  4. 9 BH, 4 HH, 1 lap
  5. so on and so on until done.
  • burping hillbillies (BH) = a burpee but instead of a jump at the end you do a good knees to elbows hillbilly walker
  • humping hillbillies (HH) = a monkey humper transitioned to a hillbilly walker
  • Focus on getting the form right, don’t cheat yourself!!

Most completed 8-9 rounds, a few completed more. Everyone did great!! There was a lot of good mumblechatter as always with the Coop group, as well as some good ol fashioned complaining which means I did something right. If I can get Alchemy to slow down then I know I picked a good workout routine.

Kudos to those PAX who said they are not runners, that they do not like running –  they ran well the WHOLE TIME and pushed themselves. That’s how you get better at a weakness.

We do not do enough regular running / cardio in my opinion. We made up for that today. About 3 miles running plus around 80 BH and HH. Cardio health is the key to your longevity. Do not slack on it!!

Back to COT for Announcements, P&P.

Thanks Punch List for the opportunity to lead.

-NASA

 

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Duck’s Modified Manion 400-40-7

19 HIM + 1 FNG showed up at The Coop for another round of Duck Season.  Punch-List made the request to Q that night after YHCs VQ. Welcomed that offer and knew another solid #beatdown would be required. Took a bit for me to come up with a solid idea but after completing the 40 day challenge (Thanks Cakeboss) and the Travis Manion, 400-29-7, it came to me and Duck’s Modified Manion was born.

Arrived about 15 minutes early to get rucks and sandbags in place and look the area over once more . Dirty Harry was already on site. From the type and volume of the music coming from his SUV, I now understand why he is so pumped in the Gloom.

Circle Up

1 FNG on hand Robert Farmer, now and forever known as “Token” and a mess of veteran Pax ready to rock. Quick Disclaimer and we are off.

Snake around the parking lot on a brisk mosey -pickup 1 additional ruck and sandbag on the way and head to the FB field for the fun.

COP/ Warmup

20x SSH – 20x windmills- Drop to plank position and hold for enough time to sweat. Down to Supermans- hold 10 secs-+10 sec count down by Punch List-rest. Back to Superman- hold for 10 secs+ 15 sec count by Pothole. Move to Plank and hold- Quizzed Dirty Harry on how the DSM gave him a better perspective on Mental Toughness and Mental Health Awareness. As he pontificated on the subject apparently some in the circle (DrkH) felt the plank burn and mumble chatter ensued over the length of the answer not the substance of the answer.  Move to downward dog and into honeymooners 3x to get everyone a nice stretch.

Recover and move to the end-zone.

The Thang- “Duck’s Modified Manion 400-40-7”

Tribute to the Travis Manion WOD and the 40 day challenge we concluded at the beginning of April.

7 Rounds to Complete- done in any order due to the limited number of coupons and the large number of Pax.

  1. 400 meter run- 40x merkins
  2. 400 meter run- 40x  Big Boy Situps
  3. Honor Round- Weighted 400 meter run- 40x weighted squats. On hand we had 12 gauge shells(60lbs), 16 gauge shells(40Lbs) and 20 gauge shells(30lb rucks). I did request the PAX”Man UP” on the 60s and magically the 60s were always in use. Great Work Men!
  4. 400 meter run-10x 4X4s- Found this little Gem on the Exicon- Burpee to plank-complete 4 merkins and 4 2ct mountain climbers and back to your feet.. Rinse and Repeat.  For some reason the PAX did not particularly like this new exercise. Lots of chatter on this. One PAX used the term “hate” to describe it but, they all worked through it.
  5. 400 meter run- 20/leg Single Dead Lift- Thank Punch list for that bad idea, feeling it now.
  6. 400 meter run- 40x Crab Cakes
  7. 400 meter run – 40x Bomb Jacks

Well, YHC has heard stories of PAX Splashing Merlot but never had it happen at an AO I was at. Well that changed today on my 2nd Q. Somewhere around round 5-6 our newly adopted Pax, Token, had to leave the the line of sight to take care of that business.  YHC thinks it was the weighted run and squats that did him in. He rebounded well to finish the morning off in stride. Good On ya Token, Welcome!

Big Shoutout to Blart w/ F3 Naiperville IL who posted with us today. Good 2ndF on the track with him.

With 2 minutes to spare quick Mosey back to COT. IT issues killed the video somehow.

Praises- Smokey’s father is home recuperating after a heart attack and by pass last week.

Prayers- Cornerstone mentioned a friend that had a relapse of cancer. Prayers for PAX traveling on business. Stang continued prayers after the loss of Pappy. Missing one or two I’m sure.

Thanks Punch List  For the opportunity to lead a Great group of #HIM. Reach out anytime. Good Times were had by ALL, I think?!?

Duck Dynasty

 

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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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