4:30 – Six participated in an EC ruck of 2.5 miles in the parking deck.

5:00 – Aquaman (ruck), Hot Spot, & Grammar(ruck) embarked on their journey of 110 flights.

Shrimp gathered a group of prayerful men to meditate on the significance of this day.

The Closed Hand, Bono and YHC positioned the coupons throughout the lower level.

5:30 – PAX gathered at the bottom of the deck.  The Closed Hand issued the disclaimer and it was time to work.

WARMUP 20 SSH IC, 20 Merkins IC, 5 Burpees

THE THANG   –     9/11 Tribute Rotation

The next 40 minutes would be spent honoring the lives taken by the tragic events of this day.  Positioned among the stations were some coupons. The combined weight of all coupons was 403 lbs., representing the number of first responders killed that day; 343 NYC firefighters, 23 NYC cops, and 43 Port Authority police.  The challenge was to carry these coupons throughout each station. Not only did ENC meet this challenge, many PAX completed it with their rucks.  PAX counted off by 4s and the 4 rotations were as follows:

FLIGHT 77 – Stationed at stair 1 this group was to complete 77 Copperhead Squats IC under the direction of Jock Itch.  When complete PAX were to climb and descend 9 flights of stairs. Upon completion…American Hammers of course but  no more than 55 reps to remember the 55 servicemen and women who died in the Pentagon.

FLIGHT 175 – Stationed along the ramp, Circuit Rider’s group completed 175 Hallelujahs, 11 ramps while sprinting, and up to 55 American Hammers.

FLIGHT 11 – The Closed Hand’s group began at stair 2 performing 11 Burpees.  Then they went up 11 flights with their coupons, followed by American Hammers.

FLIGHT 93 – YHC led a spirited group through 93 LBCs, and a WOD 9×11 of: KB Swings, Goblet Squats, Push Presses, High Pulls, Curls, Tricep Extensions, Bus Drivers, KB Snatches, and Diamond Merkins, followed by American Hammers.

Rotations occurred every 9 minutes signaled by a thunderous chant of USA, USA, USA!

5:15 – Hard Stop

COT/BOM

Several prayer requests were lifted up this morning including all the people affected by the recent hurricanes including Tonka’s parents, those whose lives were suddenly impacted by the events of 9/11, first responders, teenagers facing difficult decisions, our fellow F3 brothers who may be in the midst of their own storms, and the legacy of Papa Smurf. As The Closed Hand commented, Papa would have loved to be a part of the gloom this morning.

Joker is the Q for Washington on Tuesday.

Abu has the Q Saturday.

San Fran invites everyone to Blast Off on Fridays.  He is the new Site Q.

Hot Spot tried to promote Westside but San Fran hijacked him.

Dash for Cash – First Sunday in December…Sign Up.

Alot of ruck activities including Capital Ruck Tour and September 29th Pubruck.

Lunch Tuesday at Mike’s Deli Tuesday.

Adopt-a-highway September 30th.

DO A CSAUP EVENT!

Moleskin – I just want to publicly thank Abu and Tonka for letting me take part in the planning and implementation of the workout this morning. September 11th is indeed a special day. As I’m sure is the case with you, I am often times driven to tears during the events of this day. Just the remembrance and the recollections tend to overwhelm me as I succumb to my own emotions. I suppose part of me is so impacted because 9/11 gave us a glimpse of what America could be. You see, as tragic as that day was, the events that unfolded afterwards serve as a reminder of the type of people we should be; the type of people we could be. On September 12th, 2001 we were Americans! We were flag waving, people hugging, compassionate loving, kneeling kind of Americans.  Why is it that a tragedy must occur to drive us back to the very primal roots of our being? Why is it that an act of terror reveals are true sense of humanity?

We have seen this very phenomenon lately as hurricanes have battered our coasts. Almost one year ago, I witnessed this very thing right here in our own community. I had heard of F3 for a while. Heck, Bono practically berated me on a weekly basis. I was already waking up at 4:30 a.m. and going to the gym so my rationale was “why should I go”. Then…Matthew hit. In the aftermath of Matthew, we gathered our youth group to help wherever and whenever we could. Soon thereafter, String Bean and Bono reached out to me and before I knew it we were working alongside many of you, packing boxes, moving furniture, and just helping wherever we could. It was then, at that very moment, that I realized the WHY. It had nothing to do with bench presses or squats. Rather it had everything to do with being around like-minded, compassionate, service-driven men. F3 has indeed changed the trajectory of my life. You have enriched my life. You guys have given me an unbreakable bond of brotherhood. You have given me a platform to serve. That, my friends, is the good that can come from a tragedy. September 11th, 2001 was a day when we learned to draw strength from one another; A day we learned to gain courage through faith; A day we learned to seek clarity with love. Might we challenge ourselves to live out the lessons of this day right here, right now within our own sphere of impact?

Until we meet again – Piper out!