Adam and Jack

JT Scott | 11/07/2016 | 5

I’ve written a few times about Hero WODs (here and here are examples). If you’re new to CrossFit, I’ll offer you a few quotes from those to help explain what a Hero WOD is and why we do them:

“The Hero WODs CrossFit regularly incorporates are intended to be performed with intense effort in honor of those fallen. […] In their honor, I’ll be digging a little deeper, and pushing a little harder this next week, and I ask other members do the same: give just a little more of yourself; after all, for us, these men gave all.”

“These men and (since 2011) women are remembered by their friends and family, but also remembered by an extended community that shares with them one of their passions: they too loved CrossFit. They were put in harm’s way by us, by our government, and paid the price with their lives. We honor them by retelling a piece of their stories and remembering them – by holding them in our hearts and minds one more time as we struggle on without them.”

Not every Hero dies on the battlefield. Too many of our fellow Americans return home and have difficulty adapting to civilian life. One thing that helps is finding a community. As one member of my other facility at the time wrote:

“Something that eased the transition was finding a supportive community, a family, at CrossFit Fenway; one that breeds and nurtures the qualities of dedication, strength, mental fortitude, and constant self-improvement; qualities seen amongst heroes.”

I’m enormously grateful for the sacrifice of all who have served, and glad to support our members who are home from their time in the armed forces.

One of our members here at CrossFit Somerville just lost a friend he had served with in the USMC. He was a Marine who had returned home: Corporal Adam R. Brickley, 25 years old. His obituary is here. (His family has a fundraiser asking for donations here to cover the cost of his services.)

Today we choose our next Commander In Chief – the person who makes choices that send these men and women into harm’s way on our behalf. In our workout I ask you to remember SSgt Jack Martin, and also Adam Brickley. Rest in Peace, gentlemen.

“Jack”

Complete as many rounds as possible in 20 minutes of:
115 pound Push press, 10 reps
10 KB Swings, 1.5 pood
10 Box jumps, 24 inch box

Army Staff Sgt. Jack M. Martin III, 26, of Bethany, Oklahoma, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Fort Lewis, Wash., died September 29th, 2009, in Jolo Island, Philippines, from the detonation of an improvised explosive device.

Cpl. Adam R. Brickley began serving in the US Marine Corps in August, 2011. He died in his home in Auburn, NH on October 25, 2016.