Is Relentlessness Recognized Enough?

This year I, and a handful of you, have decided to immerse ourselves in the context of why we are

celebrating Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of D-Day. So far, the journey has been pretty moving for me and I’m feeling inspired to reflect on what next week will feel like.

For those of you hearing about this for the first time; over the past 2 months, we have been reading, watching, and studying the Normandy Invasion while training HARD. 

Our hope in this preparation is that we show up ready to endure the two events designed to break us down physically – Memorial Day Murph and the June 2nd 80K Memorial Ruck – in hopes this physical breakdown opens our hearts and minds to appreciate the immense suffering and sacrifice our veterans endured.

The reading has exposed me to the real suffering and sacrifice these veterans experienced, and this raw exposure has me reeling. Firsthand accounts detail examples of soldiers who willing shouldered suffering and sacrifice while relentlessly protecting their platoon at Normandy. That’s the resounding characteristic that stands out to me – relentlessness.

The book has three examples of this relentlessness, but one stood out to me – John J Pinder Jr’s story. 

Of the examples, he was the only one who did not survive. Pinder was motivated to do whatever it took to keep his community (the 16th Infantry) safe, and he worked relentlessly to ensure they were. Here’s a summary of his story from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society:

“On D-day, Technician Fifth Grade Pinder landed on the coast 100 yards off shore under devastating enemy machine-gun and artillery fire which caused severe casualties among the boatload. Carrying a vitally important radio (that could convey operational adjustments and reinforcement), he struggled towards shore in waist-deep water. Only a few yards from his craft he was hit by enemy fire and was gravely wounded. Pinder never stopped. He made shore and delivered the radio. Refusing to take cover afforded, or to accept medical attention for his wounds, Pinder, though weakened by loss of blood and in fierce pain, on three occasions went into the fire-swept surf to salvage communication equipment. He recovered many vital parts and equipment, including another workable radio. On the third trip, he was again hit, suffering machine-gun bullet wounds in the legs. Still, this valiant soldier would not stop for rest or medical attention. Remaining exposed to heavy enemy fire, growing steadily weaker, he aided in establishing the vital radio communications on the beach. While so engaged this dauntless soldier was hit for the third time and killed.”

Pinder relentlessly ensured his platoon would get the support they needed. As we go into Memorial Week, what personal causes are we willing to pursue with relentless conviction? Accepting suffering and sacrifice in its pursuit.

One thing is for sure, as I looked to my left and right during Monday’s bike into plate push workout none of you were shying away from suffering…and you’re doing that day after day…why? I encourage you to use this Memorial week as a reflection of your why! There’s a reason you too are relentlessly pursuing the betterment of yourself every day.

Memorial Day Murph Logistics

We will run 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 classes for this workout. It’s infinitely modifiable, so come suffer alongside the rest of our community…hopefully, we all get a little more acquainted with our “why”

80K D-Day Memorial Ruck – June 2nd 3:00 am – 9:00 pm at ALPINE

We will be doing an 80k relay ruck on June 2nd. The route will be posted soon, but the schedule has been finalized (see Facebook group). On Sunday the 9:00 class will be joining the 9:00 relay for a 5.5-mile loop! Bring a back and we will add weight to it. If you want to do more laps, please add your name to the google sheet