Cadets in the Allen County-Scottsville High School JROTC program participated in a special memorial workout Thursday, September 10, to honor the 2,977 people who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Retired U.S. Army Col. Scott Walker, JROTC instructor at the school, introduced the exercise by helping cadets understand the lasting significance of the attacks, which occurred 25 years ago.
Walker----on active duty serving his country in Venezuela on September.11, 2001---explained that members of his generation remain “frozen in time” by the events of that day. For him and his generation, 911 was a time when everyone remembered exactly where they were---much like the previous generation did the same when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. .
“The attacks were really attacks on America, on our way of life and our democracy,” Walker told the cadets.
The memorial workout challenged cadets to complete a combined 2,977 steps during a 60-minute period—one step in remembrance of each person killed in the 911 attacks. More than just walking, the cadets were challenged to complete the exercise while participating in fitness activities.
Cadets rotated through eight stations, spending six minutes at each one. The functional fitness exercises included weight training named farmer’s carries, suitcase carries, alternating suitcase carries, overhead carries and cradle carries. The cadets used dumbbells, kettlebells and weight plates in the training exercise.
Walker encouraged the cadets to continue moving throughout the workout, even when they became tired.
“You’re going to be tempted not to, but you can’t because it’s not for you,” Walker said. “It’s for those 2,977 that we lost on that particular day.”
He urged the cadets to think about selfless service and the sacrifices of others rather than focusing on their own discomfort.
“When you get tired and you’re losing your grip, don’t think about yourself,” Walker said. “Think about that selfless service. Think about others.”
Walker closed his remarks by emphasizing perseverance, loyalty and shared responsibility.
“I’ll never quit on you,” he told the cadets. “Let’s not quit on each other, and let’s not quit on them.”
The memorial workout was part of the JROTC program’s observance of the 25th anniversary of the attacks. On September 11, cadets were also scheduled to read commemorative announcements over the school’s public-address system at times corresponding with significant moments from the attacks.