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07-01-2009, 06:41

When JFK issued the challenge in early 1963, I was among a group of ROTC cadets from the Pershing Rifle Co at the University of Oklahoma who volunteered to take the challenge with an added twist. We would wear fatigues, boots, web gear, and carry rifles our 8.7 lbs M1903s!

I can't recall doing much in the way of getting in shape for the march. We started somewhere near Purcell and marched to one of the guys parent's home in Ada, OK where we planned to party! After arriving, I was struck down by severe leg cramps and a doctor was called (yep, they made house calls in them-thar days!)..he came and gave me an injection, which relaxed the muscles ended the pain.

I looked, but but couldn't find a newspaper article that I saved about the march. What I do remember is that we did it in great time, and were the first group to do it carrying rifles.

Boomer Sooner!

07-01-2009, 06:41	#5
VVVV Guest Posts: n/a	When JFK issued the challenge in early 1963, I was among a group of ROTC cadets from the Pershing Rifle Co at the University of Oklahoma who volunteered to take the challenge with an added twist. We would wear fatigues, boots, web gear, and carry rifles our 8.7 lbs M1903s! I can't recall doing much in the way of getting in shape for the march. We started somewhere near Purcell and marched to one of the guys parent's home in Ada, OK where we planned to party! After arriving, I was struck down by severe leg cramps and a doctor was called (yep, they made house calls in them-thar days!)..he came and gave me an injection, which relaxed the muscles ended the pain. I looked, but but couldn't find a newspaper article that I saved about the march. What I do remember is that we did it in great time, and were the first group to do it carrying rifles. Boomer Sooner!