Sweat and exhaustion is part of a typical CrossFitter’s workout of the day (WOD). On Saturday, at CrossFit Pace Patriot Pride, many athletes joined together as teams to honor the 30 men and one dog that gave their lives for our country on August 6, 2011. The WOD was 31 minutes long—one minute in remembrance of each hero. The rep scheme was 8-6-11—the date of their ultimate sacrifice. The team WOD symbolizes the service members being from different branches of the military, but they were working together as a team. In the workout, team members were constantly providing much needed support and relief.
Joey Paladio, owner of Crossfit Pace said “We realize that no physical sacrifice made during a workout can come close to the sacrifice our brave heroes made, but we consider this WOD a CrossFitters “moment of silence.” This is how we can honor those that gave all in the name of freedom.”
Paladio said the 31Heroes Project Mission, created to honor the 31 Americans killed in action on August 6, 2011, serves to impact the lives of our nation’s heroes and their families, while remembering the fallen, through athletic endeavors and competitive fundraising events. Paladio said 31Heroes Project was created in response to the Extortion 17 helicopter crash in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. The crash was responsible for killing 30 military service members, as well as one military K9. Paladio, a military serviceman himself, said the project is very near and dear to his heart and is excited about giving to the organization who gives to families and spouses of fallen heroes. To participate in the WOD, each athlete donated $40 for the cause. Paladio said he had about 60 participants. He said some snacks and t-shirt sales would also be donated.
Paladio said CrossFit’s first event in 2011, was a CrossFit fundraiser workout held four weeks after the day of the crash. In that short time, over 430 gyms hosted an event, more than 10,000 people participated, and $300,000 was raised and given directly to the 30 families affected.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Pace CrossFit athletes honor fallen heroes