“I was in solitary confinement when my captors offered to release me. I knew why. If I went home, they would use it as propaganda to demoralize my fellow prisoners…I wasn’t in great shape, and I missed everything about America. But I turned it down.
A lot of prisoners had it worse than I did…I always like to strut a little after I’d been roughed up to show the other guys I was tough enough to take it. But after I turned down their offer, they worked me over harder than they ever had before. For a long time. And they broke me.
When they brought me back to my cell, I was hurt and ashamed, and I didn’t know how I could face my fellow prisoners. The good man in the cell next door, my friend, Bob Craner, saved me. Through taps on a wall he told me I had fought as hard as I could…And then he told me to get back up and fight again for our country…
I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else’s. I loved it not just for the many comforts of lie here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn’t my own man anymore. I was my country’s.”
– Senator John McCain
15 PAX began and ended this morning’s beat down on the Mandeville Lakefront by honoring two American heroes.
YHC shared Senator McCain’s recollection of his captivity in Vietnam in his own words, gave a brief disclaimer, and the PAX got to work with a warmup of 10 Burpees OYO, 10 Seal Jacks IC, 10 Don Quixotes IC, and 10 Toe Touches IC.
Short mosey down the Lakefront for more warmup with Shoulder Circles, 10 OH Hand Claps IC, 20 OH Presses IC, and 10 Moroccan Night Clubs IC.
Then an Indian Run to the Milestone Marsh AO basketball court for a three team possession game. Shirts, skins and muscle shirts competed in a completely stupid and utterly pointless game of possession with a nerf football. There were random rule changes, completely unpredictable stoppages in play, impressive displays of athleticism, and no shortage of smack talk. In the end, the PAX got a good workout without realizing it and it was time to head back to the shovel flag.
On our way, we honored Tech. Sgt. John Chapman whose widow received his Medal of Honor from President Trump this week during a ceremony at the White House:
“Fighting in the early morning hours through brisk air and deep snow, Chapman sacrificed his own life to preserve the lives of his teammates during the Battle of Taku Ghar, Afghanistan, on March 4, 2002. Chapman, upon exiting the helicopter, immediately charged uphill through the snow toward enemy positions while under heavy fire from three directions. Once on the ground, the team assessed the situation and moved quickly to the high ground. The most prominent cover and concealment on the hilltop were a large rock and tree. As they approached the tree, Chapman received fire from two enemy personnel in a fortified position. He returned fire, charged the enemy position and took out the enemy combatants within.
Almost immediately, the team encountered machine gun fire from another fortified enemy position only 12 meters away. Chapman deliberately moved into the open to engage the new enemy position. As he engaged the enemy, he was struck by a burst of gunfire and became critically injured. Chapman regained his faculties and continued to fight despite his severe wounds. He sustained a violent engagement with multiple enemy fighters for over an hour before paying the ultimate sacrifice. Due to his remarkably heroic actions, Chapman is credited with saving the lives of his teammates.”
God Bless Senator John McCain and Tech. Sgt. John Chapman. God Bless America.
Countorama, nameorama, and The Hammer prayed us out on our way to the coffeeteria.
Thanks for letting me lead guys.
