AO: The Ridge
When: 05/23/2024
Number of Pax: 6
DR Names:
Number of FNGS:
FNG Names:
QIC: Blue Gill
Introduction
Beautiful morning to honor a fallen soldier during the F3 Plainfield Hero Workout Week!
Hero workouts this week and in general honor men and women who died in the line of action while serving in the armed forces, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and fire rescue. The intention is to pay tribute to these fallen heroes by putting yourself through hard physical work.
Warm-O-Rama
SSH
Arm Circles
Good Mornings
Windmills
Michael Phelps
Harry Rockettes
Mosey
The Thang
This workout is called “Kalsu” and is a modified version of the original workout. The workout honors 1st Lt. James Robert Kalsu, 11th Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army, who died in action on July 21, 1970 in the Ashau Valley in Vietnam. I’ll tell you a little more about this hero during my COT, but for now….
5 Burpees to start and at the top of every minute
Start with 5 burpees. Then complete as many thrusters as possible until the minute is up. At the top of the minute (1:00) complete another 5 burpees. Repeat each minute until time. Initially, the PAX had no idea how long this would last, but about 10 rounds into it it was revealed we would be doing 30 rounds
Tips and Strategy
Prior to the start of the workout, decide how many thrusters you can realistically complete every minute (remember you always start with 5 burpees). Stick with that number, no matter how much it hurts.
Circle of Trust
Announcements were read and a moment a silence was taken by all in attendance
Naked Man Moleskin
1LT James Robert “Bob” Kalsu was born 13 April 1945 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and raised in Del City, Oklahoma, where he developed the character, patriotism, and athleticism that he called upon in high school, college, and subsequent voluntary military service.
Kalsu graduated from Del City High School in 1963 where he lettered in three sports. Today’s football teams play in Robert Kalsu Stadium.
At the University of Oklahoma, he enrolled in the university’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program and was elected captain of the 1967 Sooners football team that was ranked third in the nation.
Upon graduation, he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery telling a teammate, “I want to serve.” After a successful season in professional football with the Buffalo Bills (voted by team as rookie of the year), Kalsu voluntarily set aside his fame and potential fortune to answer his country’s call to serve on active duty in Vietnam. When a team official talked with him about his decision, he said “John, I gave ’em my word,” referring to his ROTC promise to serve on active duty. “I’m gonna do it.”
In November 1969 Lieutenant Kalsu completed his field artillery training at Fort Sill and joined A Battery, 2ndBattalion, 11th Field Artillery of the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. The unit was at FSB Ripcord delivering supporting fire on 25,000 enemy soldiers in the A Shau Valley. Soon the 4 1/2-month Battle for Ripcord began. It was one of the deadliest battles of the war, and its last large engagement. The heaviest fighting was from 1-23 July when Ripcord was assaulted by 5,000 enemy and 600 mortar rounds per day.
On 21 July, a mortar salvo blast killed both Kalsu and his good friend, SGT David Earl Johnson. Kalsu was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in a combat zone and the Purple Heart. He was 25 years old.
Today he rests in Resthaven Gardens Cemetery, Oklahoma City and is memorialized on the Vietnam Wall at Panel W8, Line 38.
https://youtu.be/cPWo_VRmoos?si=uMhKCBUduxVXms1H
Unfortunately as time passes we tend to forget about those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. In fact, it’s it often hard to find much information about some of these hero’s in general. By doing these hero workouts maybe in some small way we can help to keep their sacrifices from disappearing forever.