This is an article I wrote for the Kaiserslautern American, which was my local weekly newspaper when I was in the Army. This was a great reporting experience, but a terrible life experience as you can gather from the story (I was on the marching team).
I earned the nastiest little blisters ever on this march. Then at one point, my nose started bleeding so badly we had to stop for ten minutes and all these sweet Dutch ladies were bringing me water and food. I really wanted to finish the whole march, but I admit I was pretty relieved when they canceled the last three days.
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More writing samples:
Feature release from Raleigh Little Theatre
News release from Raleigh Little Theatre
Article from 21st Theater Support Command
Sports article from China.org.cn |
HEAT HALTS NIJMEGEN MARCH
NIJMEGEN, The Netherlands – Ten 21st Theater Support Command soldiers came home early when 100-plus degree heat led to the early cancellation of the Four Days’ March in Nijmegen last week. The extreme temperatures led to two deaths and hundreds of medical problems among the international mix of marchers.
“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” said Spec. Timothy Day, one of the soldiers from the 21st TSC who entered the event officially known as the International Four Days’ March at Nijmegen.
“I can’t be angry about the event being canceled, because it was done in the interest of safety, and I respect that decision.”
The Nijmegen march is the largest marching event in the world. Military and civilian participants walk anywhere from 100 to 200 kilometers over the four-day event (military participants must march 160 kilometers). The march is popular among military personnel worldwide because of its roots as a military training exercise.
Day one of the 90th annual march was one of the most grueling days in the history of the event.
Some 49,000 marchers attempted to cover the day’s 26-mile stretch, with the military team members required to carry 22 pounds of weight each.
Only four U.S. military teams participating in the march were able to finish in the allotted 12-hour time period on day one. All 10 members of the 21st TSC team finished in time.
As hard as day one was, the cancellation announcement triggered some feelings of disappointment.
“After all we did to train, I really wanted to try to finish,” said Spec. Sebastien Raseman of the 21st TSC intelligence section. “I don’t know if I would have made it, but I definitely wanted to try.”
Many marchers remained in Nijmegen to participate in the ongoing festivities downtown. Military members spent July 19 visiting with foreign servicemembers to trade uniforms and equipment.
“It’s a shame we didn’t get to finish, but I don’t think many people would have finished in this heat. I guess the best thing you can hope for is a few decent souvenirs,” British Cadet Flight Sergeant Fraser Downer said as he negotiated a trade for a U.S. Airborne beret. The bartering got so intense many soldiers were left wondering what they would wear to work.
Many of the 21st TSC marchers won’t be able to participate in next year’s march due to deployments and separations, but Specialist Raseman is determined to go back.
“I’m going to finish that march. It’s going to hurt and I’m going to get a crazy profile afterward, but I will finish,” he said. |
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