KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Soldiers and officers of the 45th Sustainment Brigade gathered together for a memorial CrossFit Workout of the Day honoring Staff Sgt. Robert A. Massarelli July 16 at the 45th Sust. Bde. CrossFit Gym, here.

The workout consisted of three rounds of four exercises; a waiter’s walk with 135 pounds for males, 95 pounds for females, 15 pull-ups, 15 wall ball tosses and 15 sledgehammer strikes.

“It was good because it was for my friend,” said Sgt. Tuan Nguyen, motor transport operator, 96th Transportation Company, 117th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 45th Sust. Bde. “We did this for Staff Sgt. Robert Massarelli and please don’t forget his driver, Sgt. Michael Strachota, who also passed. This WoD is for them.”

According to his unit, Massarelli was an avid CrossFitter. Massarelli and Strachota both paid the ultimate price June 24 while conducting logistical operations just outside of Kandahar Airfield.

Nguyen and other soldiers from the 96th TC motivated each other during the competition by holding up posters with Massarelli’s photo when the going got tough.

“[Today’s workout] is to make it known that he is always in our thoughts and in our hearts,” said Staff Sgt. Victoria Burns, 96th TC, 117th CSSB, 45th Sust. Bde. “It was good for esprit de corps, very motivational. The work out was extremely challenging, it’s something he would have loved.”

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