by Capt. Tamara Fischer-Carter
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs
10/17/2012 - PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- While many were hitting snooze for the second time, a driven few answered a calling from deep within.
Approximately 40 Air Force members gathered together outside the fitness
center here Oct. 16 to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the death of
Airman 1st Class LeeBernard E. Chavis in a unique way.
On Oct. 14, 2006, Chavis, a 21-year-old member of the 824th Security
Forces Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga., was killed by sniper fire while he
tried to keep civilians away from a suspected bomb in the streets near
Baghdad.
Chief Master Sgt. Jason France, former 820th Security Forces Group
operations superintendent at Moody AFB, now at Hill AFB, Utah, designed
the annual Chavis Workout, a CrossFit-style workout that the group did
together in Chavis' memory. The Chavis Workout consists of 150 burpees
(or an up-down with a push-up), a one mile run and 150 squat thrusts.
This year, former 824th Security Forces member at Moody AFB, Ga., Staff
Sgt. Heather Ruhlman, now a 21st Space Wing paralegal, sent out an
invite to the workout via Facebook. She was there in Baghdad when Chavis
was killed.
"I never thought in 2008 when we first did this workout together that
years later we would be doing it at our new homes spread across the
world. There are members of the unit who are not even in the military
anymore who go and do the workout," Ruhlman said. "It's nice to know so
many still take the time out to remember our fallen Ghostwalker."
Ruhlman said that last year 400 people across the globe accepted the
workout invitation she sent. This year appears to have garnered a
similar response. Among the people attending the workout here were
members of security forces, comptroller, judge advocate and public
affairs units; and the nearby USAF Academy.
Staff Sgt. Danny Keurtz, 21st Security Forces member, is a regular at
the gym and has been doing two-(or more)-a-days in preparation for the
event.
"The turn out today was fantastic. Much more than I think anyone
expected," said Kuertz. "With everyone there you could tell people were
pushing as hard as they could. It was nice to see people pour so much
sweat and camaraderie into remembering Airman 1st Class Chavis. I
couldn't have been happier to share this experience with everyone
there."
1st Lt. Connie Dillon, public affairs officer with Air Force Space
Command, participated. "This event was seriously challenging and deep in
meaning. It was something that kicked my butt and made me want to quit
every second, but I keep going because of what it stands for," said
Dillon.
As each person progressed through the workout, they tick-marked their
count with chalk on the pavement. They pressed through the workout in
mostly respectful silence, while others from around the world wrote
"complete," with their location and a message of love to Chavis on a
Facebook page created for the event.
"It warms my heart when I see this enormous outpouring of support for
the workout," said Ruhlman. "I can't believe the workout has become what
it is today. Six years later, it still hurts just like it did on 14
Oct. 2006, but what's uplifting is knowing Chavis is still remembered
just as I always hoped and knew he would be."
At the end of the workout everyone understood what the Air Force family
means by "proud heritage and legacy of valor." There was no team huddle
or cheer, only the symbolic chalk outlines at each person's feet as they
mustered what strength they had left to gather drink bottles and cold
weather gear.
With solemn expressions like they had just visited Airman Chavis' grave
in person, they turned away to carry on the Air Force mission.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
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