Blackbeard Challenge 2021
QIC: Spamalot
Date: 05/31/21
PAX: Splash, Zima, Van Gogh, Silver Fox, Ziggy Stardust (WD), Spicoli, HOG (WB), Bam, Sourmash, Sgt. Schultz, Burlap, Sea-Man, Boo-Boo, Paw Patrol (f/k/a Andy Bishop), Triple Lindy, Atrophy, Spamalot (QIC)
There are many ways one can honor the ultimate sacrifices that hundreds of thousands of men and women have made in defense of our country. Today, 17 Pax came together to remember one such brave hero.
SSG Matthew A. Pucino
Started and organized by his family (initially his two sisters), the Matthew A. Pucino Foundation’s mission is to, in part, provide for the needs of combat wounded soldiers and their families and families of the fallen.
Sound familiar? It is not about you. It is about the other person. Your neighbor. The complete stranger that needs someone.
This year’s rendition of the Challenge was simple enough.
10 Burpees
25 Squats
1 Minute Plank
50 Crunches
25 Leg Lifts
10 Push-Ups
1 Mile Run/Ruck (while wearing a 20# vest or ruck sack)
The goal was to complete the above cycle 5 times, more if you felt so moved. Several felt so moved.
As the workout was performed on the Meadowlark track, the group stayed together, which was definitely part of the plan.
After the completion of each cycle, YHC read a statement to the Pax as they performed the exercices.
At the start of the event, it was from the SSG Pucino website:
After the first mile, YHC read 36 US Code 116.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/36/116
After the second mile, YHC read President Eisenhower’s 1955 Memorial Day Proclamation:
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-3096-prayer-for-peace-memorial-day-1955
After the third mile, it was (supposed to be) Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen (about the horrors of trench warfare in WWI):
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46560/dulce-et-decorum-est
Finally, YHC was going to read the Gettysburg Address:
https://rmc.library.cornell.edu/gettysburg/good_cause/transcript.htm
Due to spacing and timing, YHC did not get a change to read Owen’s poem or Lincoln’s speech. Feel free to take the time now.
NMM
FNG Paw Patrol was so named due to an in-depth conversation Zima once had with one of Paw Patrol’s daughters. The fact that Paw Patrol posted to the Murph and THEN this Challenge tells us all we need to know. This guy is a keeper! Welcome!
Thank you all for coming out to the Challenge. I hope it in some way contributed to a meaningful day of remembrance.
During COT, Spicoli (as always) helped the group stay focused.
Sgt. Schultz and Bam briefly shared personal stories of colleagues/friends who had paid the ultimate sacrifice.
