****23 OCT 2010******
Today we honored our fallen brothers at the CCT Memorial Service. Wet eyes and a 21 gun salute paid homage to the men who gave all. Thank you to all our generous supporters. We'll never forget.
****17 OCT 2010******
Day 8: The men are making a push down US 90 and LA-182 past Lafayette to New Orleans. A Waffle House near the hotel is good news as the guys come rolling off the roads hungry and sore. We are continuing to experience great support like a retired chief who grabbed a photo op with Team 3, the Young Guns, in front of his Barbershop. The guys also found a HS admirer who walked a few blocks cheering on their spirits. At the handoff, Task Force DJ rucked up in the gather low level fog and ran nearly 10 miles straight to make the handoff to the Chiefs who continue their overnight schedule. Capt Schindler and Sgt Smith continue to be the early morning ghosts punching their miles without much fan fair before the sun. Chief Dixon and Sgt Huhman appear to be made of rock as they look nearly the same today as they did on day 1. See ya in the Big Easy!
****16 OCT 2010******
Day 7: Sgt Minshew was released from the hospital this morning and is in great spirits and has all his toes after some minor surgery. The teams continue to push through towards Lafayette with the State Troopers giving us round the clock coverage. Everyone seems to be hunkering down with the expected pain and blisters (our crew is easy to pick out in the hotel due to duct taped feet and flip flops anytime they are not walking), but still exchanging smiles and grins after each leg. The pain is hardly apparent as they boot up and start trekking their team legs. Afterall, this is a march of warriors. Special note today: Team 4 aka Task Force DJ made an alternative hydration stop at M&P's Bar 98 (LA-98) and they passed the hat for $200. Amazing folks and our sincere gratitude. It's little moments such as those that reveal the character of this nation's people. As we are running out of blog space, the march info below will be curtailed and reposted as an attachment once we finish. We'll keep on rolling forward...
****15 OCT 2010*******
Day 6: This update is a bit less fun to post. We are continuing on through Louisiana along LA-12. Despite pushing through the pain, Sgt Minshew is en route to the hospital to some attention for a likely infection in his foot. Stepping into his team slot will be Sgt Adams. Our escort has been taken over by the Louisiana State Troopers. On some of these rural roads, their strobes are the only lights within miles, so again - much appreciated. As of midnight, Team Chief had pushed out 10 miles on a straight patch of 190 (as LA-12 changes names but not directions), and the Dream Team knocked out a 14 mile stint in 3 hours and change. At the midnight handoff, Capt Schindler's team w/ Sgt Smith was rucking up in the pitch dark to start their leg in the brisk night / early morning air.
***14 OCT 2010********
Day 5: As the team comes up on the Texas border, the middle part of this trek is underway. Thanks to the Jasper County Sheriffs Deputies, the Orange Sheriff's Department, and several little towns like Lumberton PD giving us escort throughout the day and night. Spirits are high. Even if one of the dually trucks decided it wasn't ready to keep marching, the men are. Team 1 continues to take the longest legs, Team 2 is making constant progress as Col. Barnett and Sgt Minshew keep the pace. The Young Guns aka Team 3 continues to push the speed as they jog through the heat of the day. However, Team 4, the self proclaimed "Dream team" aka Task Force DJ is moving again at blistering speeds. The hard charging team of SMSgt Jamie Clark and SrA Dan Cutrell show indomitable will pushing through rural and city roads alike. The stopping, handshaking, honks and warm welcome we've been receiving surely isn't hurting at all either though. (Sorry for the late update on this one)
***** 13 OCT 2010 ********
Day 4: Passing Houston was a great experience for everyone. Our sincere gratitude goes out to the Houston PD, Harris County Sheriffs Deputies, Dayton, and Liberty PD (think that was all of them) for the safety escorts! Rucking is hard enough without getting mowed down by motorists. We really appreciate their presence and shadowing us nearly ALL day and night. The young guns on Team 3 had their first daylight run and made some great time, while the self proclaimed "Dream Team" #4 made big strides and took the twilight shift. Team Chief (5) added Chief Gilbert for this leg and paced out the late night walk rocking to classic rock on the lonely roads between West Houston and Dayton. Capt Schindler's blister tried to move in permanently in Liberty as Team 6 did the overnight - only to have MSgt Huhman and Chief Dixon put into the early morning light. Spirits are high, the hotel staff is nervous, and we are in Beaumont. If you see us roadside - don't forget to ask the drivers in the wrapped vehicles about SOF-HEARTS bands. We've got those and Special Tactics March shirts with us. Feel free to ask us! More soon.
PHOTOS! http://gallery.me.com/hallryanm#100096
***** 12 OCT 2010 *********
Day 3: The team as moved our base to the Hilton Garden Inn on the west outskirts of Houston/Katy. The country is a flattening out, even though Team 3 keeps walking the "eternal 10 mile uphills." At this point, Capt Schindler's blister has its own zip code, SMSgt Clark hasn't stopped smiling, and we keep Chief Haggert and Travis in the dark (literally, all walks during hours of darkness). We've had former Controllers and women and even kids in strollers roll with us. Wayne Lowman (sp?) did 4.5 miles in the dark to represent Mark Forester's hometown and the Patriot Guard. It's all of the little things that are touching the team's hearts and keeping our focus on why we are hear. Starting tomorrow, we should have the SOF HEARTS (Special Operations Forces - Honoring. Each. And. Remembering. Their. Sacrifices.) bands. The Medic/Driver teams following each of the teams should have a box in the support vehicle. More tomorrow...
***** 11 OCT 2010 *********
Day 2: All of the initial coordination has paid off as we are still based in Seguin. The team maintains good spirits. We received a great welcome in Weimer, with a kind hearted gal running out to serve us coffee at 0500 in the morning! Thanks to the guys in Waelder Tx who invited us for a consolation beer lamenting the Cowboys game. Just when the heat and the milage starts getting grueling, we seem to come across those people who give us that lift to keep the smiles and feet moving along. More tomorrow
***** 10 OCT 2010 *********
The March has begun, and all went off without a hitch yesterday. A couple of IV's and a few blistered feet are all part of the journey as our operators move in twos and threes through the San Antonio area. At the time of this update, the team has completed nearly 70 miles and is currently East Bound on US-90 past Seguin. If you see us, give us a honk, or come walk a bit if you are able. The night passed safely with various people coming out at all hours. We had a guy come jump into formation at 11:00pm and walk a few miles, with his heavy looking ruck. All of the handshakes, waves, and pats on the back are truly motivating as the sun drops and the night settles in. Thank you all for your support, military and civilians. Additional thanks to the various News Media, the guys from Y100 (Jesse and Shotgun), and Col. Mott for sending us off and giving us such great exposure with this cause. Look for another update tomorrow morning. God bless.
**UPDATE**
5 OCT 2010: As of last week, unfortunately we will be marching for a total of 14 Fallen Special Tactics Airmen. In the past two weeks, our community has lost SrA Danny Sanchez and SrA Mark Forester in firefights in Afghanistan. Our hearts go out to the families of these brothers in arms and we wish them peace in this time of sorrow. Danny and Mark will be in our hearts and minds as we walk this year.
*****************
Welcome to the Tim Davis Special Tactics Memorial March donation page. On 9 October 2010, Special Tactics' operators will once again don weighted rucks and make the 860 mile trek from Lackland AFB, Texas to Hurlburt Field, Florida on foot. This year, we have added a few miles and some new faces to what will be our 2nd Annual March. All of us look forward to honoring the memory of our fallen brothers, and your strong support which makes this memorial so special.
USAF Special Operations Combat Controller Staff Sergeant Tim Davis (20 Feb 2009) was killed in action while on patrol with a Special Forces ODA in the Oruzgan Province of Afghanistan. His death, along with the 11 other Air Force Special Tactics members lost in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom inspired these Special Tactics Airmen to relay across 5 states carrying 50 pound packs (Ruck Sacks). In our second annual walk, teams will travel non-stop from Lackland AFB, San Antonio Texas to Hurlburt Field, Ft. Walton Beach Florida. This journey mimics the training journey each Combat Controller takes from Basic Training until the Advanced Skills training provided at Florida's Special Tactics Training Squadron.
Anyone is encouraged to come walk with us at anytime during the march. Our route and more detailed information will be posted on our website: www.walkforthefallen.com, created by Helen Back Pizza, our corporate benefactor this year.
The following men will march together in 6 teams:
Ken Huhman / Bruce Dixon Team 1
Pat Barnett / Kyle Minshew Team 2
Jacob Poulliot / Abel Martens Team 3
James Clark / Dan Cutrell Team 4
Tony Travis / Steve Haggett Team 5
Joel Smith / Michael Gilbert/ Sam Schindler Team 6
Your support makes this event successful. For more information you can contact Capt. Sam Schindler (850) 496-0038 or MSgt. Ken Huhman (210) 426 5523.