Nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots firefighting team tragically lost their lives on June 30, 2013, while fighting a fire in Yarnell, Arizona. Here is where you can make a donation to support the families of the lost heroes, if you would like. Many CrossFit affiliates perform the workout on August 30th each year.
Today we performed a modified version of the Hotshots 19 workout. The original workout is:
6 Rounds
30 Air squats
19 Power cleans
7 Strict pullups
400 m Run (at Corps Fitness, it goes without saying that this is a weighted run)
Regardless, let’s take some time today to remember those lost and be thankful that there are still heroes willing to sacrifice their lives to protect others. We are surrounded by them every day, and you only have to look at stories like this one or the stories coming out of Houston right now after Hurricane Harvey to realize how lucky we are and how many great people live in this world!
More back ground about the Yarnell fire and those who lost their lives can be found on Outside Online or on the Hotshots Website, which contains a bio of each hero.
Hero Week Shirts
Shirts are in!! …worth the wait, because they are AWESOME! Pick yours up at the front desk!
IM ABLE At Corps Fitness
What happens at Bldg 7 during Corps Fitness down-time? Well, IM ABLE uses the space and provides some incredible fitness opportunities to some who may not have the chance otherwise. Check out Dorian and his friends with Abilities in Motion, and others from the Spring Valley YMCA in Limerick exploring possible collaborations!
Moon Hero Workout
Last week, CFers gathered together to honor Army Specialist Christopher Moon. Thank you to all who have served, are currently serving, or just starting out their journey of service to our country. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed.
Extra Fun
Are you interested in mountain biking but not sure where to start? Have an old bike sitting around that you want to get back out on? Come out with Chris next Thursday (7/27) for a beginner ride through the Highlands in Wyomissing. Meet at CF at 6 PM.
Free Intro
The next free intro class will be Saturday 7/22 at 9:30 AM.
Marine Lance Corporal Adam Loggins, of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marineswas killed while serving in Iraq.
He is described as a fun-loving young man who was serious about serving his country as a Marine. He was motivated to join the Marines after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and was determined to do his part for the country.
His dad said, “during our last talks, he told me that he would not be able to live with himself if he did not do this. He did not want to look back at his life and wish he had done something.”
He also said, “Adam had experienced many things in his very short life. He packed a lot of living in his 27 years and brought joy to his family and friends.”
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Cpl. Keaton G. Coffey was just weeks away from a new chapter of his life. He was due to marry his fiancé in July, but was killed on May 24, 2012 while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
“He had an attitude and a heart of service,” said Bob Dennis, a family friend. “He put himself out for other people.”
Corporal Seth Sheppard, Sgt. Alfred Nieto and Cpl. Nathaniel Hoy gave personal reflections on their experiences with Coffey and just how much he affected their lives for the better.
“Only once, only once in a very long while does that Marine come around,” said Nieto. “That Marine has everything to be great; eagerness to learn, passion to be the very best at everything he is taught and extremely humble. When people talk about having the mythical ‘it,’ Cpl. Coffey could very well have been the definition.”
Corps Fitness Themes: Being a Part of something bigger than yourself;
Hero Week Day 2
We honor Captain Todd M. Siebert, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines who died February 16, 2007 while conducting combat operations in Anbar Province, Iraq.
Relatives said Siebert always wanted to be in the military, often dressing like a soldier in the backyard when he was very young. “Probably 70 percent of his life was dedicated to being in the military”, said his brother Tom Siebert.
He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Navy Unit Commendation.
He is survived by his parents, Thomas and Dorothy, his wife Darcy and 2 children, Nicholas and Alicia, a brother and 2 sisters.
We also honor Donald M. Marler. US Marine Corporal Donald M. Marler of St. Louis, MO died on June 6, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
His personal service awards include: the Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Donald was an enthusiastic athlete and a faithful son, grandson, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Most importantly Donald was a passionate Marine who placed service to his country far higher that anything else.
Today we did “The Don”….a 10 exercise, 66 rep chipper. We did it for a reason. Mental mindset. You didn’t know what you were going to get when you walked into the gym today. You never know what curveballs life is going to throw your way on a day to day basis, so why should your workouts at Corps Fitness be any different. But hopefully, with a Corps Fitness “Can Do” attitude, you take those challenges head-on with the mental readiness to get it done. And then there’s INTEGRITY. Every rep. Best Form. Every Round. Best Effort. No further explanation needed.
Nicely done folks, grinding your way through an “everything under the kitchen sink” kinda day!
HERO WEEK DAY 1
We honor Lance Corporal David P. Lindsey of Spartanburg, SC who died May 25th 2007 while serving in Iraq as an infantryman with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. He was scheduled to return home in August of that year.
Lindsey’s father said “he was proud to be a Marine and proud to serve. He always wanted to be like his father, grandfather and uncle and serve in the military.”
His sister shared a part of a letter Lindsay had written since being stationed in Iraq. It painted a picture of who he was. It said, “We have been watching Flags of our Fathers. It’s about the Marines on Iwo Jima and the flag-raising on top of the mountain. I tell you, where the U.S. troops were outnumbered and had the disadvantage but still went face to face with dangers and still took the objective; those men and women are true American heroes (like Pops).”
Also in the letter he wrote, “this is my promise to y’all. Iraq is bad, but it isn’t going to stop me (like father, like son). I’m out here on the front lines so y’all can sleep in peace tonight.”
We also honor Marine Staff Sergeant Daniel Hansen who died February 14, 2009 in Farah Providence, Afghanistan when and IED he was working on detonated. His twin brother, also a Marine, described Daniel as someone who excelled at everything, always wanting to be a hero at everything. He was a “Marine’s Marine”.
When every future Marine arrives for boot camp, they stand on yellow footprints; footprints where many stood before them, some having made the ultimate sacrifice. In every story you hear about our fallen Marines this week, the feeling of PRIDE in being a Marine is what resonates. Squad leader calisthenics called about by our Sgt Kaag was the lead-off to our first day of Hero Week. At Corps Fitness, we too have pride in what we do, the effort we give, and the unity in which we do it.
HERO WEEK STARTS THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 25TH!!!!
We are ready to roll with our Summer ’17 Hero Week, and this installation will honor fallen Marines and our Pags (on the 6th anniversary of his death, 6/29), as well as pay tribute to the foundations of Corps Fitness.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE ADDITIONS AND CHANGES:
**Sunday, June 25th - 10:00AM Class (ONLY CLASS)
Monday 6/26 - Regular Class Schedule
Tuesday 6/27 - Regular Schedule (8:30AM class WILL be the Hero workout) Spin Hybrid will be as usual
Wednesday 6/28 - Regular Schedule
Thursday 6/29 (Pags) - ****Regular Schedule PLUS 9:30AM Class option to do the Hero Workout (8:45 Spin hybrid as usual)
Friday - Regular Schedule
Saturday 7/1 - FINALE 9AM! Stay tuned for details regarding our finale!!!
Saturday 7/1 - Send Off for Ike Nawa after class. More details to come!
And don’t forget to sign up for a t-shirt at the front desk. Design shown below (thank you Matthew Jackson!!)
Gone, but never forgotten. Our dear friend Mike Lawrence. Remembered always, and especially today on the 3rd anniversary of his passing. We love and miss you Mike!
Mike’s Obituary:
Michael A. Lawrence, 55, of Lower Heidelberg Twp., died June 17, 2014, in Reading Hospital. He was the husband of Laurie A. (Jones) Lawrence; they were married on June 23, 1983. Born in Reading, he was a son of Noreen (Lynch) Lawrence, Reading and the late Kenneth Lawrence. He was a graduate of West Chester University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He first worked at Reinsel & Company as a partner in acquisitions and consulting. Mike was the General Manager for All Star Distributing for 11 years, last working in March. He was a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church, Whitfield. Mike was an avid runner and triathlete. He enjoyed kayaking at Blue Marsh and spending all the time he could with his family. Mike is also survived by his children, Andrew, husband of Kim; Jessica, and Maggie, fiancée of Geoff Musick. There are two sisters, Michele, wife of Stephen Yeity and Jean, wife of Kevin Kleckner. He was Pappy to Benjamin, son of Andrew and Kim. Mike is buried at Gethsemane Cemetery. Donations in Mike’s memory may be made to Free to Breathe, a partnership for lung cancer survival: http://www.freetobreathe.org.
Fitting tributes of hard work to ensure we live to honor the legacies of those gone before us