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Workout of the day

JBLM's Team Red, White and Blue sponsors second annual WOD with Warriors

About 100 participants gathered at DuPont’s Powderworks Park in order to celebrate Veterans Day with the Workout of the Day With Warriors. Photo courtesy JBLM Team Red, White and Blue

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At 11 a.m. Nov. 11, about 100 people gathered in the cold, gray drizzle at DuPont's PowderWorks Park. Dressed in colors to represent their respective organizations, Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Team Red, White and Blue and the JBLM chapter of wear blue: run to remember, were there to participate in this year's Work Out of the Day (WOD) with Warriors, a national event held every Veterans Day to give vets and those who love them the opportunity to spend some time working out together and honoring and remembering all of those men and women in uniform who have faithfully served their country at home and around the world.

WOD with Warriors is a semi-annual event sponsored by Team Red, White and Blue, a volunteer organization whose stated mission "is to enrich the lives of America's veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity." (www.teamrwb.org)  Throughout the year, Team RWB seeks to support veterans and their families through scheduling various physical and social activities and through participating in and sponsoring research projects geared to better understand and improve the lives of our veterans. In all ways, they attempt to live out what they call the "Eagle Ethos":

Passion - we care more, we work harder and we share our story.

People - veterans and community drive everything we do.

Positivity - we don't ignore the challenges; we just stay positive and attack them.

Commitment - we are dedicated to each other, our mission and our communities.

Camaraderie - we improve lives through genuine, personal relationships.

Community - this is what we are building ... at every level.

For this year's WOD with Warriors event in DuPont, JBLM's Team RWB joined forces with the local branch of wear blue: run to remember, "a national nonprofit running community that honors the service and sacrifice of the American military" by creating "a support network for military members and their families," bridging " the gap between military and civilian communities," and creating "a living memorial for our country's fallen military members. Wear blue: run to remember exists for the fallen, for the fighting and for the families." (www.wearblueruntoremember.org)

According to Team RWB's website, WOD with Warriors is "a functional fitness tribute workout held twice a year on Veterans' and Memorial Day." WOD with Warriors is held in parks and participating gyms across the country. Beginning at 11 a.m. on the dot - the same time the armistice was signed Nov. 11, 1918, officially bringing an end to the first World War - participants begin an "11-based rep scheme" representing "the rich history of Veterans Day." The first nine-minute long AMRAP ("As Many Rounds As Possible") involves a circuit of sprints, sit-ups and air squats, followed by a two minute period of "rest and reflection." This is followed by another nine-minute AMRAP, this time featuring sprints, push-ups and box jumps.

JBLM Team RWB's WOD with Warriors included more than 150 participants and was held in three different venues this year: DuPont's PowderWorks Park, the JBLM Crossfit located in the McVeigh Gym, and the Eatonville Crossfit Gym.

"We are so pleased with the success of this year's WOD with Warriors," said Flavia Hulsey, captain of the JBLM chapter of Team RWB. "The JBLM chapter of Team RWB was just beginning to get organized last year around the time of Veterans Day, so we had a much smaller participation at just two locations then: Eatonville CrossFit and CrossFit Olympia. We were excited to expand our offerings this year to the JBLM community on base. We were also thrilled to offer an event in DuPont by partnering with a fellow veteran service organization, wear blue: run to remember. A joint event together was a first for both of our organizations, and we received lots of positive feedback, so it won't be our last."

To learn more about Team Red, White and Blue or wear blue: run to remember, or to connect with either local chapter, visit their websites at www.teamrwb.org and www.wearblueruntoremember.org.

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