3rd Annual Day Zero Memorial Day Weekend Convergence

3rd Annual Day Zero Memorial Day Weekend Convergence

On May 25, 2013 Day Zero was born with 13 pioneers paying tribute to those that lost their lives protecting our freedom. Today, a shade over 3 years later, 42 men from all over A51 and SOB land rolled in to put in work.

At 0700 on the nose, following a mighty disclaimer, the 35+ A51 guys grabbed the shovel flags and took off for the soccer fields. Circling up and taking a knee around the flags a citation we read the Medal of Honor citation for USMC 1st Lt. William Dean Hawkins.

COP – Stars & Stripes

• SSH x 50 IC
• Low slow merkins x 13 IC
• Low slow squats x 50 IC
• Mountain climbers x 13 IC

We grabbed the shovel flags and moseyed to the Yellow Rose parking lot. At the YR lot, we took a knee around the flags for a citation reading for US Army Staff Sargent Robert J. Miller.

We split up in to teams of 4. Several of the SOBs joined us, doubling down from Stonehenge with more shovel flags in tow.

• P1 & P2 ran CMIYC with a sandbag around the Touchstone shopping center block, with 10 merkins each time the partner was caught
• P3 & P4 made birthday cake (20 merkins, 15 jump squats, 10 LBC, 5 burpees) and ran hairburners
• Each pair of partners per team completes 2 laps around the block

Following the circuits and some pax-lead Mary, we grabbed the shovel flags and trekked back to the soccer fields.

Each day, an estimated 22 veterans commit suicide. In an effort to bring awareness to mental health and our soldiers returning from war, 22Kill is a movement working to raise awareness to the suicide epidemic that is plaguing our country, and educate the public on mental health issues such as PTSD. 42 men completed 22 merkins = 924 merkins completed.

Circling up again around the flags, the men suffered in silence through 100 burpees OYO, honoring the men and women that died for our freedom.

We had 2 FNGs today: Nemo (Bennett), and Inferno (Dante). Welcome gents – look forward to seeing you guys post again soon.

Following the burpees, Prohibition and YHC ceremoniously turned over the SF to Dear Abby and Buttermaker, the new Day Zero site Qs.

Pro and I were given the opportunity to lead Day Zero, from Radar and Purple Haze (the site forefathers), at the beginning of 2015. It has been an honor leading the men that Q and post at DZ every week. DA and Butter will carry on the tradition of being A51’s toughest Saturday workout.

Citation 1:

William Dean Hawkins

First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps

Born: April 19, 1914

Died: November 21, 1943 – Tarawa, Gilbert Island – Central Pacific

For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of a Scout Sniper Platoon attached to the Assault Regiment in action against Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Island, November 20 & 21, 1943. The first to disembark from the jeep lighter, 1 st Lt. Hawkins unhesitatingly moved forward under heavy enemy fire at the end of the Betio Pier, neutralizing emplacements in coverage of troops assaulting the main beach positions. Fearlessly leading his men on to join the forces fighting desperately to gain a beachhead, he repeatedly risked his life throughout the day and night to direct and lead attacks on pillboxes and installations with grenades and demolitions. At dawn on the following day, 1 st Lt. Hawkins resumed the dangerous mission of clearing the limited beachhead of Japanese resistance, personally initiating an assault on a hostile position fortified by 5 enemy machineguns, and, crawling forward in the face of withering fire, boldly fired pointblank into the loopholes and completed the destruction with grenades. Refusing to withdraw after being seriously wounded in the chest during this skirmish, 1 st Lt. Hawkins steadfastly carried the fight to the enemy, destroying 3 more pillboxes before he was caught in a burst of Japanese shellfire and mortally wounded. His relentless fighting spirit in the face of a formidable opposition and his exceptionally daring tactics served as an inspiration to his comrades during the most crucial phase of the battle and reflect the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Citation 2:

Robert J. Miller

Staff Sergeant, US Army – Special Forces Operational Detachment

Born: October 14, 1983

Died: January 25, 2008 – Konar Providence, Afghanistan

Robert J. Miller distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of heroism while serving as the Weapons Sergeant in Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3312, Special Operations Task Force-33, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan during combat operations against an armed enemy in Konar Province, Afghanistan on January 25, 2008. While conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol through the Gowardesh Valley, Staff Sergeant Miller and his small element of U.S. and Afghan National Army soldiers engaged a force of 15 to 20 insurgents occupying prepared fighting positions. Staff Sergeant Miller initiated the assault by engaging the enemy positions with his vehicle’s turret-mounted Mark-19 40 millimeter automatic grenade launcher while simultaneously providing detailed descriptions of the enemy positions to his command, enabling effective, accurate close air support. Following the engagement, Staff Sergeant Miller led a small squad forward to conduct a battle damage assessment. As the group neared the small, steep, narrow valley that the enemy had inhabited, a large, well-coordinated insurgent force initiated a near ambush, assaulting from elevated positions with ample cover. Exposed and with little available cover, the patrol was totally vulnerable to enemy rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapon fire. As point man, Staff Sergeant Miller was at the front of the patrol, cut off from supporting elements, and less than 20 meters from enemy forces. Nonetheless, with total disregard for his own safety, he called for his men to quickly move back to covered positions as he charged the enemy over exposed ground and under overwhelming enemy fire in order to provide protective fire for his team. While maneuvering to engage the enemy, Staff Sergeant Miller was shot in his upper torso. Ignoring the wound, he continued to push the fight, moving to draw fire from over one hundred enemy fighters upon himself. He then again charged forward through an open area in order to allow his teammates to safely reach cover. After killing at least 10 insurgents, wounding dozens more, and repeatedly exposing himself to withering enemy fire while moving from position to position, Staff Sergeant Miller was mortally wounded by enemy fire. His extraordinary valor ultimately saved the lives of seven members of his own team and 15 Afghanistan National Army soldiers. Staff Sergeant Miller’s heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty, and at the cost of his own life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

22Kill Operative