May 28th, 2011 a day that changed our lives forever. My son Adam S. Hamilton was killed in Haji-Rubh, Afghanistan while serving this wonderful country of ours.
Naturally we focused on our loss and the range of emotions that come along with losing our son.
For obvious reasons the hopelessness and darkness surrounding Adam's death was overwhelming.
We stopped, took a deep breath and thought what would Adam want us to do?
People from our small CrossFit community came together in fellowship and they donated money and sacrifice to sharing a suffering and challenging workout called the HAMI.
The novel concept spawned the Adam S. Hamilton Academic and Athletic Scholarship Fund.
The first HAMI was just a couple months after Adam's accident. I think there was 20-something athletes there and we had a donation camp and raised a few hundred dollars.
But just what I saw with the strength and support from everybody and how much it meant to them and how much it meant to the community escalated this to where it is this year.
Adam taught us the gift of giving and everybody wanted to have a part of that.
Each year this community event raises money to sponsor a $10,000 scholarship for one male and one female each at Kent Roosevelt High School.
The HAMI originally started out of a community CrossFit workout that we did and put together in honor of Adam.
We carried it over in 2012 at Kent State Stadium on a larger scale and had up to 100 athletes and we're at over 400 athletes this last time with a goal of getting above 700 collectively and then eventually making the HAMI a weekend destination for friends and family.
Good morning everyone and welcome.
This event goes on every year to continue to get bigger and better and all that thanks goes to people like you.
This is a sacrifice that all of you make for the reason why we're here.
The men and women in serve this country that allow us to do this is one that you can't forget.
This money we raised goes to scholarships at the local Kent Roosevelt High School where Adam was.
We pass out scholarships each year and what that means to this family, I can't tell you.
All the proceeds right now go to the scholarship fund.
Sponsors are an integral part of this. The sponsor of your company to this event is not only important for your company to get the exposure and such a good thing that's going on in the community.
It just brings awareness to everybody that you guys do care and you want to give back.
So an example of one of our newest sponsors is Dog Tech Brewing Company.
They have agreed to sponsor our public relations outreach program.
Dr. Pepper Snapple donates money, product and public relations help for us as well.
In 2012 we founded CrossFit Cadre one year after Adam Hamilton was killed in action.
It's very important for me to support this event because on a larger scale of community we sacrifice for just one day to carry on Adam's legacy.
As a business owner myself it's tough to decide every year which cause that you put your money towards.
This is a great cause because it supports Adam's legacy, honors his sacrifice and allows the community to benefit.
It means a lot to be able to contribute to something that supports all soldiers and it may be ultimate sacrifice.
Whatever your business is, it's a way for you to participate.
I personally like to invite all of you to come participate or sponsor or be part of this year's campaign.
From the large companies like Cadre CrossFit, Dr. Pepper, Concept 2 to the little local cookie shop you can either donate some time, product or actually participate in the event.
Anything involved whatsoever, this is an event that you would like to be part of.
