Message from PF-626733

RocketChat ID: saSGNp4fAnpBQHxu4


November 27th Michigan Thanksgiving Event (Frontsgiving).

Lead Organizer - @Alan MI
Quartermaster - @Benjamin MI

Members present: @Alan MI @Benjamin MI @Johnny MI @Francis MI @Michael MI @Sam MI


Purpose: To assess and improve the physical fitness of those attending, practice marching drills, practice sparring, and generally socialize.

10am: Arrival time

10:30am - noon: Marching practice/hike

noon- 2pm: Sparring

2pm- 4:30pm: Casual chit chat

4:30pm-5pm: @NS - Michael OH speech

5pm-5:15pm: Banner picture

5:30pm: general departure

Long form: The day began with idle chit chat as well as discussion of the days events. We hiked throughout the parks trails as a group. For approximately 3/4ths of the hike we were in marching formation. @ND - Ryan OH appointed @Alan MI to give the commands to the marching column for various actions including stopping, merging into one column from two, separating into two columns from one, and commands meant to mimic obstacles during demos such as curbs, trees, or other such encounters. The march itself maintained a brisk but relatively orderly pace for its duration. Afterwards everyone drank some water and chatted a bit before a sparring lesson was given by @ND - Ryan OH in which the basics of 5 strikes, 2 blocks, dodging, and general movement during combat were covered. Shortly into the actual sparring practice a park ranger arrived to notify us that we were not permitted to actually spar and strike one another on park property. After a brief conversation he told us that it was fine to practice striking the air as we had done so far, but that we could not actually strike each other. Therefore, we practiced a bit more, but the overall sparring time was cut short by this incident. As a result several members of the Ohio network began to cook up some food while everyone else chatted about a variety of topics. Later in the afternoon we found a more secluded section of the park to listen to @NS - Michael OH 's speech. Its contents were relevant to our cause and PF as a fraternal institution, and his delivery was excellent. @Benjamin MI recorded him presenting it. After discussing the contents of his speech we all took a picture with a banner that @PF-571562 brought. This concluded the event for the day, and everyone departed shortly after.