Well, Saturday morning got off to an early start at the Grenade Assault Course. Todd went first and did really well. It was an awesome course, with barricades and different challenges. I actually wanted to get out there myself!
We got to talk for a few minutes and he told me about the Land Nav courses. He said that he tied for first in the day time and won the night Land Nav course.
After everyone finished the Grenade Course, we walked over to a HUGE Confidence Course. This thing was at least three football fields in length and breadth. There were a lot of challenges they had to tackle. Several of them were very high in the air; all of them looked very difficult. I was a little queasy as I watched Todd on some of these, just because I was nervous for him. The goal for this was just to finish all the obstacles successfully. Which Todd did; however, on one of them he took a pretty bad fall and hit his shoulder really hard. He caught himself and finished everything. This was towards the beginning of the course…he did finish it, but after the adrenaline wore off, he realized that his fall was worse than he thought.
The Medics took a look at him and sent him to the Emergency Room at the hospital. I went with him and after a few hours, we emerged with his arm in a sling, some STRONG pain medications, and the verdict of torn shoulder muscles. They recommended that he didn’t complete the competition for medical reasons, and he was in so much pain, that I don’t think he cared at the time.
We found out on Sunday morning that he was ahead by a very wide margin. He could’ve missed an entire competition and still been able to win. This was disappointing, but Todd says that he has no regrets. It was an amazing experience and we plan to go back and win it all next year.
The comradory that I witnessed in the soldiers was very moving. Hearing them cheer each other on and help each other through these grueling tasks was really something. The purpose was to push the soldiers to their limits, physically and mentally, and even in these harsh conditions, those soldiers shined. I was so proud that Todd was a part of this competition and was competing against such impressive soldiers. It was a bonus that he was winning!
Todd is feeling a little better today. He still doesn’t have full use of his arm, and the doctor recommended physical therapy after they do an MRI, but overall, he is doing well and is back to school.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. It means so much to us both!
Love, Danielle
(I'll add more photos soon!)
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