When my wife and I had the idea to create Operation Sweet Tooth to honor our daughter’s memory, we had no idea of how our initiative would be welcomed. We are just a simple, mourning family, wanting to honor our daughter’s memory and do some good for other children, and their families while trying to find some healing during the process. As Pastor Rusty of Camino Church said, “We are turning our pain into a life of purpose.” When we enlisted the help of our brothers from F3 (f3nation.com) and sisters of FiA (FiAnation.com), the response and support was overwhelming. Friends, strangers, co-workers and family were eager to help support, honor our daughter and have a positive impact on children within our local communities. Receiving all the texts, tweets, emails and pictures of all the trunks filled with toys and gifts was just absolutely incredible to see. Moreover, receiving the numerous thank you letters, hugs and condolences for our loss was equally impactful. We cannot express our gratitude enough for everyone’s generosity and support and we are truly humbled and blessed that you played a significant role in making a difference.
During this time, we were invited to Christmas parties, asked to give speeches, guest workouts, helped deliver the donations to many of the institutions we supported and were honored for our strength and vision at a nearby Church. This experience only fortified the belief that through our grief, we could muster up enough strength to help others in need.
Together, with all your help, Operation Sweet Tooth was able to collect over 2500 presents, personal items, clothes and gift cards. In addition, we raised over $3000 dollars in cash donations to be used for future initiatives and projects in the upcoming year and beyond. $205 was graciously donated in the memory of David Lacivita. The foundation has been set and we welcome the opportunity to continue to provide hope and lift the spirits of those children who need it most.
The institutions we were able to help are listed below. There may have been some we left out and if so, we do apologize.
Levine’s Children Hospital
Camino Church
The Children’s Attention Home
Boys and Girls Club
Birthday Blessings
Duke Hospital
UNC Hospital
Betty H Cameron Women and Children’s Hospital
Toys for Tots
McLeod Hospital
Ada Jenkins Center
Church of God Orphanage
Thompson Children Home
Sojouner Truth House
Lydia’s Loft
Alexander Youth Network
Individual Families
Nassau County Hospital
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Although 2016 was the worst year imaginable for us personally, losing our precious daughter, we do recognize that Operation Sweet Tooth has provided us with a small amount of comfort and peace. We are excited to continue with our efforts in 2017. Please continue to follow our website www.operationsweettooth.org, and social media to learn more about upcoming initiatives beginning in the Spring and how you can help make a difference.
*This write up is also available on the website under “Blog”. Please visit and check it out as we have some of the pictures everyone shared with us during their respective toy drives.
PRE BLAST The F3 Darby Challenge Feb 1-28
Think you can run 565 miles #notanotherBRRx2? What if you had a month #notovernight? What if you could do it on a bike #gears? Want to try and help those that have deployed more times in the past 15 years than any other unit #tipofthespear? Then welcome to the F3 Darby Challenge.
The F3 Darby Challenge is F3 Nation’s contribution to Run Ranger Run, an event to be held this upcoming February (2017) throughout the country. Run Ranger Run is GallantFew’s annual fundraiser, and it is the collective goal to raise as many funds as possible to do the work we do to transition veterans to civilian life and benefit the communities they live in. Don’t care about history, purpose or why and just want to know how to participate just scroll to the bottom. #justsignmeup.
The History:
One of the GallantFew’s core programs is the Darby Project. The Darby Project’s mission is “to facilitate a successful transition for Army Ranger veterans from active military service to a civilian life filled with hope and purpose.” Rangers have been at the forefront of every major conflict since their advent in the Revolutionary War. Major battles include:
Normandy – Rangers scale the cliffs at Point-Du-Hoc to eliminate German coastal guns that threaten the success of the Normandy invasion.
Philippines – The Great Raid. 6th Ranger Battalion infiltrates 30 miles behind Japanese lines to rescue 500 POWs sent to a prison camp after the Bataan Death March in 1941.
Vietnam – Rangers conduct deep reconnaissance missions, often without support, to seek and report on troop movements.
Battle of Mogadishu – Black Hawk Down. Rangers, along with other special operations units, conduct a daylight raid that turns into the largest firefight since the Vietnam War. At the end of the raid the following day, elements of the assault units are forced to exfil on foot an entire mile in full gear under fire, soon dubbed the Mogadishu Mile.
Objective Rhino – Rangers conduct a daring nighttime jump in the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) to seize an airfield and destroy local al-Qaeda elements.
Haditha Dam – Rangers assault and secure the strategically important Haditha Dam (Iraq) and hold for 9 days while repelling multiple attacks from much larger, elite Iraqi
armored forces.
Since the events of September 11, 2001, the Ranger Regiment has deployed more than any other unit in the U.S. military, with some Rangers being down range for over 15 deployments.
The Purpose:
GallantFew’s mission is to prevent veteran isolation by connecting new veterans with hometown veteran mentors, thereby facilitating a peaceful, successful transition from military service to a civilian life filled with hope and purpose.
GallantFew does this by creating and supporting a nationwide network of successfully transitioned veterans that engage locally with new veterans with the same military background now going through transition, and by motivating communities all over the nation to take responsibility for veterans returning; welcoming, connecting, and including.
GallantFew believes this will prevent veteran unemployment, homelessness, and suicide.
As part of the GallantFew, the Darby Project is a network of networks that synchronizes the efforts of veteran support organizations to lead revolutionary transition services for the elite Army Rangers! We are not waiting for the next war to figure this out.
Three Pillars of The Darby Project:
- RESILIENCE: Educate active duty Rangers still serving of the programs available to them now and after leaving the service.
- REINTEGRATION: Coordinate Ranger education programs and available resources before the Ranger exits active duty.
- REDIRECTION: Provide assistance to those Ranger veterans and families that need additional care and assistance after Rangers have entered civilian life.
Why F3?:
Why not. The Darby Project is headed up by one of our own, Bryce Mahoney (aka Darby #realoriginal), who served in 3rd Ranger Battalion. During his time as a Ranger, Darby deployed 4 times to the Middle East. The mission of the GallantFew and the Darby Project ties into the F3 mission of reinvigorating male community leadership. What better way than to help to integrate proven leaders, whose motto is Sua Sponte (referring to the Rangers’ ability to accomplish tasks with little to no prompting), into our communities.
What is the Event?
A team of up to ten individuals will pledge to walk, run and/or ride bicycles a combined total of 565 miles in the month of February (usually 28 days). Teams may be formed from anywhere in the world and your miles can be logged from the comfort of your own home.
What Can I Do?
There are 3 ways to participate:
- Join the F3 Nation team. Register at Team F3Nation.. There are currently 8 spots left on the team. Don’t make Darby and Coop Dog do all 565 miles by themselves #Icantfeelmyquads
- Form your own Team: Think you can do more than the F3 Nation team? Form your own team in your region or sub-region. Use your BRR or Palmetto 200 team #yourealreadyrunning. Team with the most donations raised will receive a one-of-a-kind F3/Darby Project Challenge Coin.
- Donate to a team. Whether it’s the Nation team or one of the regional teams that you support the funds all go to the same great cause. If you are interested in donating go here RunRangerRun2017 and make sure to select your team.
Questions
For more information on the GallantFew and the Darby Project visit https://gallantfew.org/ or https://darbyproject.org/.
Still have questions email [Bryce Mahoney] at [Bryce.mahoney@darbyproject.org].
Through The Eyes of an M
‘Twas the night before the weekend, and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, except for my spouse.
His compression socks were hung on the towel rod with care
In hopes that gloom soon would be there;
His F3 shirt laid out, oh so neatly pressed
Teenaged girls don’t take as long to get dressed.
He finally came to bed. “Would he be the man that I need?”
Nope! He just got busy with his copy of “Freed to Lead”
Then at 0430 there arose such a clatter,
I rolled over an muttered, “What the hell is the matter?!”
All I could see was his disgusting plumber’s crack
As he threw off the sheets and yelled, “I beat the fartsack!”
I asked’ “Why do you wake so early each day?
It only takes a moment to dress and be on your way.”
“Because,” he replied , “I gotta check Twitter,
and it take some time while I sit on the… toilet.”
At 0515, he sped off in the dark
So I figured I’d follow; tailed him to a park.
From the bushes I saw fist bumps, and heard something strange;
None of his friends called each other by their actual names.
“Yo! Hootie! Stinky Cheese! Wojo, J-Love, Sacked!
“Hey! Gunny! ‘Sup, Daphne? #Cotter… welcome back!
Then someone yelled, “Men! No time to get cozy”
“I’m no pro, please don’t sue. Now, let’s go for a mosey.”
I watched from the bushes, still in my pajamas.
They ran, circled up and yelled, “Warm-o-rama!”
I knew the exercises, but the names were all stumpers:
“Sun Gods & Merkins, Hillbillies & Monkey Humpers.”
And that is when the morning really went south…
One of them broke wind; I almost threw up in my mouth!
And yet, I maintained, my cookies were not tossed.
The men formed two lines; something about, “applesauce”
For the next 30 minutes I was thoroughly confused
As I watched them run amok, their bodies, abused.
Burpees & pull-ups. No gym, just the Earth
As the one they called, “Wicked” led them on “the Murph.”
One guy, he puked right on his partner’s toe!
They even had a name for THAT, “Tossing Merlot.”
I was convinced that my husband joined a cult.
Then they called for, “Mary!”, the final insult.
I’d had enough, it was time for me to end it!
But what happened next had me completely suspended.
As the men circled up, my husband, he spoke.
He began with a quip, a really lame joke.
But then opened up about a concern that he had
How a friend lost a job, how he hoped he was a good dad.
Another man wept, asked for prayers for his wife
Then they all took a knee and gave thanks for their life.
Better husbands, better fathers, better friends, they all prayed.
“Amen!” they ended and ’round the shovel flag stayed.
They spoke about how to help our own town
Feed the hungry, clothe the cold, put a tree in the ground.
Repair houses, Judy’s Chair, Book Studies & fund-raising,
What these guys have accomplished is truly amazing.
So I snuck on home, I hadn’t known what to expect
These men of all ages had earned my RESPECT!
Although it’s annoying to be married to F3
I can see why they do it; for brotherhood, for community.
And as they sat at Panera, coffee the preferred drink,
I remembered just how bad, the family wagon would stink.
Music City Q in the Nooga
20 degrees of fun awaited the PAX of Chatty. YHC hits the head for a lil post mortem from last night’s Tombstone and we’re off.
DISCLAIMER
Slaughter Starter:
10 Burpee’s, nine squats, eight Burpee’s, seven squats, six Burpee’s, five squats, for Burpee’s, response, to Burpee’s, one squat, 10 Burpee’s. Ripped from OBT and a Q he and DREDD performed recently.
Mosey with coupon, reverse mosey, high knees, butt kickers, side shuffle right, left,
Circle Up
WOR:
Side straddle hop x 22, GMA x 22, Imperial Walker x 11, hillbilly x 11, Willie Mays Hayes with baby arm circle right side and RBAC left side x 11
Hand off to blue mule
Mosey with coupon down to parking lot by boat ramp
PAX perform designated exercises
PAX 1:Burpee Broadjump X7 out and back
PAX 2:Overhead claps
PAX 3:Overhead press with coupon
PAX 4:Squat with coupon
PAX 5:Flutter kicks
2 moves to BBJ, 3 to OH Claps, 4 to OH Press 5 to Squat and 1 to F Kix
Rinse and repeat
200 m sprint replaces Burpee Broadjump
Hand off to BV
Curb crawl 12s with Merkens
Feet on curb 12 Merkens bear crawl 20 m 11 Merkens, crawl mayor 20 m 10 Merkens and so on down to zero
Indian run with coupon back to a Caballo Blanco
BTTWX5 with Merkens
Mosey to the light pole for some light pole BLIMPS
5 Burpees LP 1
10 Lunge walks LP2
15 Iron Crosses
20 Merkins
25 Plank Jax
30 Squats
Indian run back to Caballo Blanco
PAX leapfrog around half of building
Insert dissertation on meaning of F3
10 pull-ups at playground for good measure
MARY:
Flutter kix, hello Dolly, World War I sit ups, kick outs, 20 Squat jumps, crunchy frog, American hammer
BOM
Welcome FNG : Willy B an IPTAY’r that we lovingly named after Cocks Stadium Williams Bryce
NM:
Work was put in down at Rivermont Park this am. T Claps to Blue Mule for Co-Qing this small but hearty band of men. T Claps to Steam Engine for buying my cup of Joe this am. Incidentally, cup of Joe comes from the Secretary of the Navy who pulled alcohol from naval ships back in the 30’s…Joecephus Davis…look it up, it’s true.
Bullhorn:
This region will be strong one day. Lots of bearded millennials, outdoor stores and craft beer in Nooga to recruit to. Always be EH’ing men!
Be sure to get a copy of Freed to Lead and learn the real meaning and story of F3. Probably more factual than YHC’s diatribe this am.
YHC,
Out
Boat Ramp and Route 66
The PAX: Gus, Angus, Nose Dive, Dimples, Barbie, Steam Engine, Derby
The Scene: 38 of goodness
Welcome & Disclaimer
The Thang:Cherry Pickers mosey to tennis court wheelbarrow with 5 merkins at each line and switch at next court x2
Mosey to hill sundial merkins
Mosey to boat ramp: squat with press x25 (lunge down boat ramp/back pedal up ramp) curls x25 down ramp and back up 20, 15, 10
Route 66 with burpees and BB situps
11’s derkins/dips
COT: Number / Name o rama
BOM: Reap what you sow. Be consisten with the small things
Moleskin: Great morning and fun group. Dreamill has many good days ahead.
Feel those flutters burn
Chatt-Town launch part 3 once again got started in the wee hours of The Alpha. While 5 were committed to come, one fartsacked so strongly his alarm was nonexistent within his dreams – after Tuesday, YHC knows precisely the feeling – one had a foot boo-boo and could only come to say farewell at 4am, and that left 3. Fortunately when you have a Hot Sauce birthday, 3 is 2 more than you really need. While I know you wish to learn more about that car ride, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas and that is good enough for me. Let’s just say we made it. So did Roadshow, returning home from Knoxville and Chatt’s own Plug. With a couple minutes to go, I was caught in awe of the #SF and a thing of beauty it was. Plug asked me to review the depth to which that beauty was plugged into the #bigball. Someone advise Plug to request more appropriate counsel in the future.
Babyface starts with a brief mosey around the ballfields looking for the biggest hill of the AO. Somehow, Dreadmill is located on the lone flat section of this town. Not to be deterred, Baby locks in adjacent to a small mound for warm-ups. These were definitely not Baby’s best warm-up calls, but in his defense, he was not originally scheduled to handle warm-ups. 15 SSHs, 10 copperhead squats, 10 merkins for a total of 35, which coincidentally is the very new age of the birthday Hot Sauce.
What went down:
Over to said small mound for a type of 11’s, but call them 35’s. Start with 10 merkins at the path, run to the top of the mound for 25 squats, work until the numbers are inverted. Stop ever 2 minutes on Babyface’s call for 35 LBCs. By the time this was done, so was half of the workout, so let’s move on to Crack.
Mosey to the Champion’s Club for 4 corners. Face the ball fields during every run with 10 LBCRs, 20 dying cockroaches, 30 American hammers, 40 flutters. Flutters were selected with the largest number as they are also the easiest to execute. Not today. The Alphas played football on Thursday and were all sore in the same pelvic/hip region. These were easily the worst flutters I have done in my entire life. Roadshow heard those midwife noises coming from 3 grown men during a simple flutter and may never come visit our AO. Justifiably so. It sucked just enough to rinse and repeat.
Over to the boulder pile lining the river for Genuines, shoulder presses, low curls, high curls, and skull crushers.
Finally, back to the flag parking lot for suicide 40s. Start with 10 J-Los and 30 hip slappers invert them as we run median to median. Back to the flag and knock out 13 burpees.
COT
- Prayers for Chatt-town, the children and their families from earlier in the week, this AO and the men around here for F3 to have a positive impact.
- Prayers and praise for a glorious Hot Sauce birthday and many more still yet to come.
- Thanksgiving time of year with so much to be thankful for.
NMM
- We men of Alpha, both last week, this week along with those that could not come have truly enjoyed being a part of this launch. Many of us have heard about what a wonderful community Chattanooga is and we take pride in helping F3 strengthen the community even greater. With men like Plug leading the charge, there is no doubt this is a great place for F3. This dude even tried to convince his 70-something YO pops to come join. Maybe next time!
- Roadshow lived up to his name and put on a show on the road. We may not have caused him to even break a sweat, but at least he can go home and show his buddies the Genuine. Hopefully he can tap into his local sad clown buddies and eventually some of them to partake in a local F3 workout.
- Party hats were distributed prior to the workout with the 10 burpees on the line for any hats that fall. I think Hot Sauce shoved his inside his sweater just to ensure that would never happen. Thanks for signing his Hello Kitty card. #memories
Bon voyage, Crack!
Chattanooga Cha Cha
#F3Expansion @F3Chatt @F3Chattanooga @F3Alpha (Guest Q)
2nd Saturday of the new AO in Chattanooga got off to fine start with folks coming in from @F3Alpha and several F3 transplants to the Chattanooga area. The pax started showing up dressed like the great arctic winter was approaching. One FNG asked if we were going to stretch together to which Foghorn told a great story about his high school football coach. Does a dog stretch before chasing a car? Nope, but a dog also licks his own twig and berries (if he’s still got those). We did not stretch and did our best to catch the car this morning. That’s where that analogy ends though. Well, most of us don’t know and don’t want to know what Def Con 2 does when he’s not at F3, but YHC will leave it at that. Here’s what went down:
Warm up – Mosey around parking lot…In cadence SSH, Squats, Mountain Climbers, Merkins.
Dora 1,2,3
- 100x Makhtar N’Diayes
- 200x Monkey Humpers
- 300x LBCs
Mosey to baseball field…
‘Round the bases – with partner:
- Wheelbarrow to 1st base – 5x Burpees
- (switch places) Wheelbarrow to 2nd base – 5x Burpees
- Partner carry to 3rd base – 5x Burpees
- (switch places) Partner carry to home – 5x Burpees
10 count rest
- 4x Lunges 4x broad jump to 1st base – 5x Merkins
- 4x Lunges 4x broad jump to 2nd base – 5x Merkins
- 4x Lunges 4x broad jump to 3rd base – 5x Merkins
- 4x Lunges 4x broad jump to home – 5x Merkins
Mosey to outfield – 18x 8-count Burpees
Mosey to rock pile – exercises with rock
- Full Curls
- High Curls
- Low Curls
- Skull Crusher
- Skull Crusher – Hold over head (and listen to Foghorn chat….ugh that rock is heavy)
- Curls ’till you can’t no more (some lasted longer than others and kudos to those with the quartz boulder)
Indian Run to benches
Exercise on benches – In cadence
- Dips
- Derkins
- Dips
- Derkins
Mary – In cadence
- LBC
- American Hammers
- Dying Cockroach
Name-o-rama – three FNGs got to share a bit about themselves and here’s the results:
- DirtyGov
- Demo
- Laces Out
COT – Prayers for loss of young mother (Meredith), prayers for Laces Out 2.0 going under the knife for open heart surgery.
Moleskin –
- Great mumble chatter out there this morning, Gus seems like he’s got the gift of gab
- Derkins at the end seemed to be a crowdpleaser
- It was an honor to Q this morning. Great AO right along the river. Strong group of pax to get this city growing. Come join us anytime you’re near the ATL.