09/12/2021 - Dark Tower - 9/11/2001 Never Forget
AO: Dark Tower
When: 09/12/2021
PAX:
Number of Pax: 31
Pax Names: Aladdin, Baby Hands, Backdraft, Bjorn, Brooks, Bush Push, Captain Underpants, Crabgrass, Dingo, Disclaimer, Dr. Ralph, Elmer Fudd, Ken Doll, Laimbeer, Mia Hamm, Nair, One Bar, Onions, Powderpuff, Radio Flyer, RoachCoach, Serena, Snoop-A-Loop, Thumb Drive, Turner, Wine in a Box,
DR Names: Limewire, Big Ern
Number of FNGS: 2
FNG Names: Commando, Mary Gallagher
QIC: Smokey
Introduction
20 years ago police and fire came together for a greater good, and the nation followed suit. On Saturday, 9/11/2021, all were invited to join a cop and a firemen as we pay tribute to our brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice 20 years ago.
It’s a Backdraft Smokey co Q, so join SmokeDraft from 6:30-7:30 at DT if you are so inclined.
Leave coupons at home. Wear a weighted vest if you’re up to the task. And bring a mask.
Comment #1 in the thread was Laimbeer correctly guessing that the mask had nothing to do with COVID, but everything to do with giving ourselves a little glimpse of what it was like for those firemen 20 years ago.
BackDraft and I had been kicking a police/fire Q around for months. 9/11 at DT seemed about perfect for us to finally make it happen.
BackDraft I rolled in just after 6 and BackDraft had already measured out the course. We went through some final thoughts and watched the PAX flow in. Wine in a Box came in from his early Q, with the windows down and Toby Keith’s Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue playing loud and proud. We expected nothing less from our site Q.
Warm-O-Rama
BackDraft and I alternated warm up movements. Nan’tan Hands gave YHC a poopie look when the cadence was nonsensical for trunk rotations. He was quickly told just like that day, confusion was going to be all around him today.
Dr. Ralph brought out the patriotic tunes and we were off to the Thang.
The Thang
BackDraft took us to cones at the base of the hill. 78 yards from the top. 78 signifying the highest floors NYFD members climbed to during the rescue effort. PAX grouped themselves into groups of 4 (engine companies or squads). Every exercise is done per PAX. Once everyone in the squad is done, sprint to the top of the hill. Stay together as a squad, then come back down.
Thang 1: 23 prisoners squats. Every squat in honor of a NYPD officer KIA on 9/11. Sprint up the hill. Return.
37 canoe sit ups. Each one for a Port Authority Officer KIA. Sprint up the hill. Return.
184 single count Side Straddle Hops. Every one for someone killed at the Pentagon. Sprint up the hill. Return.
44 Burpees. For the passengers of flight 93. Sprint up the hill. Return.
59 merkins. For the collapse of the south tower at 9:59. Sprint up the hill. Return.
Thang 2:
Moseyed to the tree line, donned our masks, and performed multiple rounds of Team rescue carries with our squad. Someone had to be a victim while the others were rescuers.
At 7:10 partner carry mosey to the Free Speech Pavilion with a view of City Hall’s 9/11 memorial.
Thang 3:
1:42 seconds (for the 102 minutes that changed the world) of planks, Al Gore’s, side planks, and flutter kicks.
Circle of Trust
CoT across from the 9/11 memorial.
A lot of prayers were lifted up. Glenn and his M Sarah (who is also Serena’s sister), Aladdin’s Mother in Law, AppleTini’s brother, Blues Clues & Family, the Thommes family (high school friends of Serena and I whose mother died of a heart attack), and several others.
CoT spoke to our need to remember how this nation came together on 9/11/2001 and the hope we can once again harness that spirit of grace. 20 years ago strangers gave their lives for one another. Cops & firemen, politicians, everyone…we all left our bickering behind and became one. Today we can’t even have a conversation with our neighbors because of 17 different issues that divide us. Let us strive to get back to the unity we showed in 2001.
Dr. Ralph closed us with prayer.
Naked Man Moleskin
BackDraft is a stud. True HIM. Credit for this workout goes to him.
184 SSH’s and 44 Burpees were tough. Each one representing someone’s life made PAX dig deep.
Three of the five trips up the hill, PAX doubled back to leave no man behind. Extra meaning today.
During rescue carries, BackDraft reminded us all that you don’t get to perform rescues when you’re fresh. You are always tired when your moment comes.
The Free Speech Pavilion was a changeup since the 9/11 memorial had an event being set up. We rolled with it. Running through the flag lined riverwalk was a perfect way to set up the end of the workout.
During our 142 seconds of holding positions, PAX started sharing where they were 20 years ago. BackDraft started us off with how he was working an unfulfilling job and enlisted in the Navy at 29 years old after 9/11. Not to be out done, Roach Coach told us about how he was golfing and when he went to get more bloody mary’s at the turn, the bartender was too busy watching TV to make the drinks. Real nice RC. Pretty sure Aladdin told us it was the morning nap time at his preschool.
2 FNG’s was a good time. Commando. We let that one happen. Such a bad a$$ F3 name, but hear the origin story and I hope you’ll agree it’s not as cool as it sounds. And our newest SuperStar, Mary Gallagher.
Thanks to everyone who came out. It wasn’t a party or somber, but the group today was serious in our intentionality. Every rep representing someone’s life is heavy, as this day should always be. Never Forget.