A long, hard slog

DATE: 2023-06-06
AO: General
Q: Lazlo
PAX: Trolley, Jenner, Hard Knox, Cottontail, Obadiah, Toolbox, citrus FNGs: None
COUNT: 8
Today is June 6, the 79th anniversary of D-Day. So we spent a little time honoring the sacrifices made that day.

WARMUP: Traveling warmup of SSH, imperial walkers, hillbillies, michael phelps, moroccan night clubs, cherry pickers, willie mays hayes, down dog, WGS as we made our way around the stadium, over the fence, and onto the turf.

THE THANG: A few fun facts:
-Over 160,000 allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy that day. We did 80 merkins and 80 squats (sets of 20). -The conflict covered over 50 miles of beaches. We did 50 WWIIs.
-Over 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft went into battle that day. We did a set of 5 lurpees, and a set of 13 lurpees. -Over 9,000 soldiers were killed or wounded that day. We did 9 Absolutions.
-Establishing a beachhead enabled over 100,000 troops to begin a long, hard slog through Europe, pushing back the German forces. We did a 100 yard bear crawl.

The Q had a whole thing with exercises spelling out the names beaches that saw battle that day: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. But we skipped it because it would have taken an hour and there was some Ultimate that needed playing.

MARY: Captain Thor (American Hammers and WWIs)

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Convergence, and a happy hour next Monday for our very own Trolley. Nighthawk Brewery, starting at 1900.

COT:
We read two quotes:
“Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!”
Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking. -Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force

“They’re murdering us here. Let’s move inland and get murdered.” — Colonel Charles D. Canham, 116th Infantry Regiment commander

The Q reflected for a minute on the Greatest Generation. They aren’t called that because they were perfect, or built differently or better. But because they came together, they sacrificed, they endured, and they came home to build the country we live in today. It’s oddly refreshing in an age of division and cynicism that, when pushed, we can come together and accomplish great things together.