1st Lieutenant Clovis T. Ray of San Antonio, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry
Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks,
Hawaii. He was killed in action on
March 15, 2012 in Asadabad, Kunar province, Afghanistan, of injuries caused by
an improvised explosive device. He
died a hero to this country and a role model of devotion to duty.
Veterans Day is a day to reflect upon the sacrifices of
those who have or continue to serve.
The men and women who answer our nation’s call and don the uniform are
becoming more and more a shrinking sliver of the overall American
population. In the current era the
burden of war is placed squarely upon the shoulders of the few. The nature of modern conflict has made
asymmetrical an emerging norm and it will be these veterans who will again
answer the call in our communities.
There is no need to say thank you or offer a free dinner at a chain
restaurant, as military service is now a choice. Instead, honor them with quality VA benefits to mitigate the
side effects of war and help provide meaningful skills for those returning to
the civilian work force. No
veteran requires anyone’s pity nor wants a handout, what they truly yearn for
is a sense of community and acceptance into society at large.
In the Tabata Times article Veterans and CrossFit: Why it Works, the author states, “Our entire
military career is built on the foundation that the people around us are our
family.” It is after the veteran
returns home and attempts to assimilate back into regular society that the
issues start to arise. Gone is the
“battle buddy” who shares the same core beliefs and sacrifices. The issues of alcohol abuse, drug
addiction, marital discord, and even suicide can easily become a new norm for
the individual veteran unless a new sense of community is developed. In comes CrossFit, Team RWB, TeamRubicon, etc… These organizations
are extremely popular with veterans as it provides a sense of belonging to a
new tribe that also shares common values, respect, and trust. It is through these fraternal groups
(or those like them) that society can again come together and build common
bonds.
Today my CrossFit Box, CrossFit Sweat Angel, honored 1st
Lieutenant Clovis T. Ray with a Hero WOD.
LT…your sacrifice is not forgotten.
For Time
Run 10 miles
150 Burpee Pullups
We performed the WOD as a team of 2.
My Battle Buddy, Devin--Before
After
