Honor Sacrifice with Strong Effort

Honor Sacrifice with Strong Effort

2 shovel flags were briefly planted while 34 Pax gathered in the McAlpine Elementary School parking lot for the 1 year anniversary of #F3DayZero. Our brothers from #F3TheRock and #F3Olympus joined us for the occasion. But more than a celebration of the first year of the workout it was more of a time to remember and to honor those that served and gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the freedoms we now enjoy. Throughout the workout, we made special note of sacrifices, which are detailed below.

The Thang

At 0700, Radar and YHC grabbed the flags and carried them out to the Proving Grounds as the Pax followed. The flags were firmly planted in the middle as we gathered for COP. Radar gave a stirring speech about pushing ourselves today. YHC encouraged the Pax to sound off in our cadence. All 34 did both today.

• SSHs x 50 IC
• Calf Raises x 50 IC

Before the Merkins, the Pax were informed that there were approximately 455,000 American deaths in WWII…an average of 297 deaths per day.

• Merkins x 25 IC

Then, at Radar’s encouragement, our youngest 2.0s, SouthPaw & Jackie Chan, carried the flags over to the Yellow Rose parking lot, as the Pax followed. Awaiting us there were plates for hairburners and Radar’s funbags for CMIYC. This part of our workout was dedicated to Marine Corps PFC HAROLD CHRIST AGERHOLM. Radar read the Citation noted below.

In groups/partners here’s what we did:

• Partner A  – Run with the sandbag
• Partner B – 10 merkins, then catch Partner A. Flapjack all the way around the .6 mile loop
• Partner C – Hairburners in parking lot/road
• Partner D – Suicide run in parking lot. Flapjack with hairburners until Partners A & B return.
• Then Partners A & B to the hairburners and suicides. Partners C & D to the CMIYC.

Repeat above except with 10 squats for the CMIYC.

Then, our older 2.0s, Charlie and Tadpole, both of which want to be Navy Seals, carried the flags back to the Proving Grounds, as the Pax fell in behind in two lines.

Back to the field, we stayed in the two lines and dropped for Partner Merkins to 10. Before the Partner Merkins, we noted that approximately 6,600 Americans were killed, wounded or lost at Normandy when the Allied forces stormed the beaches.

After that, we circled up around the flags for the grand finale…100 burpees OYO. But before the burpees, Radar read the Citations noted below for Naval Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy and Naval Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor.

COP

Moleskin

All the men today brought it strong today and worked hard to honor the sacrifice of many. We could never repay for what’s been done so that we can live in freedom. Today was simply a small way to show our appreciation. Never forget the blood shed by those who have served. Never forget.

As for our Day Zero 1 year, thanks for all the support of the Pax this past year, for the convergence of TheRock and Olympus today, and for the men who showed up and gave big effort today. We look forward to this next one.

Citations

Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944. When the enemy launched a fierce, determined counterattack against our positions and overran a neighboring artillery battalion, Pfc. Agerholm immediately volunteered to assist in the efforts to check the hostile attack and evacuate our wounded. Locating and appropriating an abandoned ambulance jeep, he repeatedly made extremely perilous trips under heavy rifle and mortar fire and single-handedly loaded and evacuated approximately 45 casualties, working tirelessly and with utter disregard for his own safety during a grueling period of more than 3 hours. Despite intense, persistent enemy fire, he ran out to aid 2 men whom he believed to be wounded marines but was himself mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper while carrying out his hazardous mission. Pfc. Agerholm’s brilliant initiative, great personal valor and self-sacrificing efforts in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country

Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy’s team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four-member team. Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his Headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, courageous actions, and extraordinary devotion to duty, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Citation

 CitationFor conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as automatic weapons gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006. As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army Sniper Overwatch Element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element’s position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy’s initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor’s chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates. By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.