WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — First Lieutenant Travis Manion was killed in action 18 years ago fighting for our freedom. On Tuesday, a community workout named in his honor brought people together in Wilkes-Barre.
Pennsylvania State Police and the Travis Manion Foundation teamed up to hold a community workout at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre.
The Travis Manion Foundation was named in honor of First Lieutenant Travis Manion, who was killed in action in April 2007.
The foundation aims to help younger generations be more involved in their communities.
"It's just a phenomenal way to teach future generations how to live with high-level character, and make a lasting impact on their communities, and the people around them, whether it be friends, colleagues, acquaintances, family members," Kevin Ricciardi, chapter leader at the Travis Manion Foundation, said.
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The Travis Manion workout honors the men and women in the armed forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
"So, it's one lap around the track, which is 400 meters, followed by 29 air squats, and that'll be repeated seven times. So, it's daunting, but a small price to pay for those who have paid the ultimate one for us," Master Trooper of Pennsylvania State Police David Peters explained.
Each step in the workout has a meaning.
"Travis was killed in action on April 29, 2007. So, the four signifies the 400-meter run. The 29 for the date represents the 29 back squats, and then the seven is seven rounds of that, and that's the seven for 2007, the year in which he was killed," Ricciardi said.
The workout is in its fourth year and gives members of the military and law enforcement a deep sense of camaraderie and shared values.
"Understanding law enforcement as well as the military, what they mean to their community, and the values that that person needs to have. A sense of community, character, integrity, that kind of shines here today by paying tribute to those men and women who have done that," said Peters.
"In my opinion, it's one of the best ways to bond is by doing something hard and all having camaraderie and embracing something difficult and helping people through those hard times to complete a task and a goal, and there's no better way to achieve things like that than with others," Ricciardi explained.
The Travis Manion Foundation and Pennsylvania State Police hope to keep this tradition going for years to come.
