The Murph and a Dog Walk?

Honoring the fallen at RockZero

36 men came together at RockZero to remember what Memorial Day is truly about: those men and women who gave their lives for our freedoms as Americans. With 4 shovel flags planted firmly into the earth, 3 Q’s ready to go, a FNG on hand, and a proper disclaimer disclaimed, we set off for what has become an annual tradition on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.  Here is how we did it:

Run with the shovel flags around the church to the main field in front of Calvary and gather in tight and take a knee.  Alf told us that in World War II there were approximately 455,000 American deaths which was an average of almost 300 deaths per day.  He then read the first citation of Medal Of Honor recipient Sergeant Darrell Cole.   (all citations at bottom of back blast).

COP: Alf

• SSH x 50 in cadence
• Merkins x 13 in cadence
• Mountain Climbers x 50 in cadence
• Low Slow Squats x 13 in cadence

Run with the shovel flags at the front of the group back around the church to the parking lot right across from the sandy playground.  Everyone gathered in tight and took a knee while Prohibition told us that in the Vietnam War there were nearly 60,000 American deaths and over 150,000 wounded.  He then read the second citation of Medal of Honor recipient Private First Class Oscar Austin.

Main Workout: Prohibition

• Get into groups of four.
• P1 & P2: Catch Me If You Can with sandbags.  P1 runs with sandbag.  P2 does 10 merkins and catches P1. Flap jack all the way around the church.
• P3 & P4: Hairburners & Pull Ups. P3 does out and back hairburners while P4 does 10 pullups at the sandbox.  Flap jack until P1/P2 get back.
• P1/P2 flap jack with P3/P4.  Do this entire thing x 2!
• Mary at the end while we wait for the 6.  J-Lo’s x 13.  Some sort of hip thrusting thing led by Shoe x too many.

Run with the shovel flags out front to soccer fields and bring it in tight and take a knee.  Purple Haze then read the 3rd citation of Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller.

The Finale: Purple Haze

• 100 burpees OYO – – No mumblechatter.  Suffer in silence to remember those we honor today.

As the clock hit 0800, Haze gathered all of us in together for name-o-rama and the ball of man led by Mermaid.  It was an hour of pain, but nothing compared to what the men and women of the U.S. Military do on a daily basis fighting for the very freedoms that allow us to come together and participate in things F3.

The Naked Moleskin:

It was once again an absolute honor to help lead this moving workout that has become a tradition in Area51.  Thank you all for joining us.  Alf told me later that he has been to this workout 4 years in a row but reading the citation was more impactful than he would have imagined.  That is so true.  I encourage everyone to take some minutes at some point and look through different citations on the http://www.cmohs.org/ site.  It is very moving to read what so many people have done for us.  It is truly humbling and makes me very thankful for what I have.

This workout never gets easier.  Whether it’s the sandbags, the hairburners, or the burpees, it is always awful.  But as long as I have any say in the matter, it won’t change.  That daunting feeling of 100 burpees in a row after a brutal workout.  The thought of no way am I going to finish these when you are sitting at 30 burpees in.  Then that crazy rush around the 75th burpee knowing that the end is in sight and I’m going to knock these out.  What a feeling of accomplishment…and numbness.  I couldn’t do any of that without my F3 brothers around me.

We have a number of veterans in F3 and several were with us this morning.  Thank you for your service and I hope in your eyes the men of F3 are at least trying to do it right.  We appreciate you and all that you have done for us.

A few observations:

• Ironsides after ball of man going back onto the field and finishing his burpees.  He had about 15 to go.  Haze, Frasier, and YHC finished with him.  Dude, that is impressive to go back after we’re all done to finish it.  You didn’t have to, but so great that you did.
• Frasier carrying a 50lb sandbag is still faster than most of us running without one.
• Welcome FNG Jinxy!  Great having you and great name.  Better than Focker!
• Loved hearing the collective “ugh” when coming around the corner and seeing the pile of sandbags and plates.
• Margo, Stone Cold, and Horsehead came early for a pre run.  Studs.
• Shout out with more in the comments

Citations:

*COLE, DARRELL SAMUEL

• Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as leader of a Machinegun Section of Company B, 1st Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Assailed by a tremendous volume of small-arms, mortar and artillery fire as he advanced with 1 squad of his section in the initial assault wave, Sgt. Cole boldly led his men up the sloping beach toward Airfield No. 1 despite the blanketing curtain of flying shrapnel and, personally destroying with hand grenades 2 hostile emplacements which menaced the progress of his unit, continued to move forward until a merciless barrage of fire emanating from 3 Japanese pillboxes halted the advance. Instantly placing his 1 remaining machinegun in action, he delivered a shattering fusillade and succeeded in silencing the nearest and most threatening emplacement before his weapon jammed and the enemy, reopening fire with knee mortars and grenades, pinned down his unit for the second time. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation and evolving a daring plan of counterattack, Sgt. Cole, armed solely with a pistol and 1 grenade, coolly advanced alone to the hostile pillboxes. Hurling his 1 grenade at the enemy in sudden, swift attack, he quickly withdrew, returned to his own lines for additional grenades and again advanced, attacked, and withdrew. With enemy guns still active, he ran the gauntlet of slashing fire a third time to complete the total destruction of the Japanese strong point and the annihilation of the defending garrison in this final assault. Although instantly killed by an enemy grenade as he returned to his squad, Sgt. Cole had eliminated a formidable Japanese position, thereby enabling his company to storm the remaining fortifications, continue the advance, and seize the objective. By his dauntless initiative, unfaltering courage, and indomitable determination during a critical period of action, Sgt. Cole served as an inspiration to his comrades, and his stouthearted leadership in the face of almost certain death sustained and enhanced the highest tradition of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

AUSTIN, OSCAR P.

• Rank and Organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, (Rein), FMF
• Place and Date: West of Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, 23 February 1969

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an assistant machine gunner with Company E, in connection with operations against enemy forces. During the early morning hours Pfc. Austin’s observation post was subjected to a fierce ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force supported by a heavy volume of hand grenades, satchel charges, and small arms fire. Observing that 1 of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, Pfc. Austin unhesitatingly left the relative security of his fighting hole and, with complete disregard for his safety, raced across the fire-swept terrain to assist the marine to a covered location. As he neared the casualty, he observed an enemy grenade land nearby and, reacting instantly, leaped between the injured marine and the lethal object, absorbing the effects of its detonation. As he ignored his painful injuries and turned to examine the wounded man, he saw a North Vietnamese Army soldier aiming a weapon at his unconscious companion. With full knowledge of the probable consequences and thinking only to protect the marine, Pfc. Austin resolutely threw himself between the casualty and the hostile soldier, and, in doing, was mortally wounded. Pfc. Austin’s indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller

• Organization: U.S. Army, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3312

Citation: 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.