Mountain Man Memorial March

I participated in the Mountain Man Memorial March with my OEW (Operation Enduring Warrior) teammates in April.  The event was started in 2008 as a way to honor 1LT Frank B. Walkup, IV.  He gave all in 2007 while serving in Iraq.  His brother, Franz Walkup and his awesome wife Shannon are teammates of mine via OEW.  It was a great honor to complete this mission in honor of Frankie's life, as well as for all those who have given all for this great nation.  

I rucked 26.2 miles through the Great Smokey Mountains with 35+lbs of weight on my back.  I was in my element being "at home in my mountains". It was a beautiful day, but a tough course.  I was physically more prepared than I anticipated so this was a good thing.  I was also well fueled throughout the entire course so I was patting myself of the back for packing out all the right food and fluids.  What I wasn't prepared for was the mental aspect of participating with teammates where one's attitude becomes a challenge to others.  I was disappointed and let down by this individual.  I had worked hard for this event and there was no way in hell I was allowing this negative crap to overtake the situation. So I did what was best for my team...I stood up for myself & my other teammate by putting the hammer down on the negative nancy situation amongst us. Although, the one teammate quit at Mile 25, myself & my other teammate did not stop.  We finished well after the course was taken up and well after the lights went down in Gatlinburg.  26.2 miles completed with a big smile on our faces.  In honor and memory of those who gave all.