"Roberts Under the Hat"
Well this past weekend, I attended my first Watermelon Run for the Fallen in Hempstead, Texas. My fiance and her family attend this event every year since it began. My fiance's brother SGT. Joshua Ward was KIA February 2009 in Mosul Iraq. So as a gold star family it is very important for them to attend this event every year. Well this year was the first year I have been able to attend. I can proudly say that once I mentioned the event, a few of my good friends decided they were going to come walk it to. I was joined by the owner of Texas Tactical Hats Chuck Bundren and his lovely wife Rochelle, My long time friend Lloyd Brown, and Fellow Combat Infantryman Daniel Sargent and my kiddos Madi, Colton, and Bryson. So our group along with my fiance's family and all the kiddos spent the morning remembering our fallen heroes. Our crew in the picture at the top decided to strap on our rucks for the walk. Our group stood out for sure, Daniel and I waving our unit flags proudly and Lloyd sporting his Black Watch Kilt and bluetooth speaker blaring some good rock n roll, bagpipes, or irish pub songs. When you register for the event you can select a specific soldier to walk for or they will randomly select one for you, that is what the bibs on our rucksacks are for. Then they also line the route with the pictures of every veteran that was KIA from Texas. My son Bryson and I walked in honor of my fellow Headhunter Spc. Josiah Vandertulip. The Ward family all walked in honor of Josh. Lloyd walked in honor of a vet selected for him by the run named Lcpl Wesley Canning. After the march Lcpl Cannings father found Lloyd and gave him the bracelet pictured below. Daniel, Chuck and Rochelle all walked for randomly selected heroes as well. Chuck walked for Spc Adolf C. Carballo This event was an awesome experience. There are a lot of people that come out for this event, and it makes me proud to see so many grateful people come to honor those brave warriors that paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country. I was proud to participate in the event and honor my fellow headhunter and my fiance's brother. Daniel decided prior to the event that we should heavy up our rucks for the event. So Daniel and I humped the event with 60 lb ruck sacks. I train normally with 45 so it was a step up adding the extra 15 lbs. The distance was short, but with the extra weight I have to say my shoulders were a bit sore. The pain was therapeutic, I have found comfort when honoring my fallen comrades in the physical pain I may experience. The small amount of pain I endure to honor them is nothing compared to the pain they suffered or their families suffered in giving their life for this great nation. I was proud of the crew that walked with me, as well as the Ward family. My soon to be mother in law jogged it in at the finish, was very proud of her (pictured above). It was a great solemn day and look forward to next year and the many more after that. I could ramble on and on about the event, but I will shut up now and post some more pictures. Stay Safe, Train Hard, Train Real, Train Right Robert Heckler L to R: Lloyd Brown, Robert Heckler, Chuck Bundren, Rochelle Bundren, Daniel Sargent Kiddos: My three kiddos Bryson, Madi, and Colton Me, Lloyd, and Daniel before the march Chuck & Rochelle the crew the crew with the marker for Sgt. Josh Ward
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Robert HecklerFormer US Army infantryman and combat veteran. worked in law enforcement as a patrol supervisor, instructor, and SWAT operator. Holds a BS in criminal justice management and currently working towards his masters Archives
August 2015
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