Soldiers Did the Boston Marathon Wearing 40-Pound Packs. Then They Helped Save Lives.

Tough Ruck soldiers clearing a path to victims Military Friends Foundation

These Soldiers Did the Boston Marathon Wearing 40-Pound Packs. Then They Helped Save Lives.

When the bombs went off, the Tough Ruck 2013 crew sprang into action.

At 5:20 a.m. on Monday, four hours before the Boston Marathon's elite runners took off, a group of 15 active-duty soldiers from the Massachusetts National Guard gathered at the starting line in Hopkinton. Each soldier was in full combat uniform and carried a "ruck," a military backpack weighing about 40 pounds. The rucks were filled with Camelbacks of water, extra uniforms, Gatorade, changes of socks—and first-aid and trauma kits. It was all just supposed to be symbolic.

"Forced marches" or "humps" are a regular part of military training, brisk walking over tough terrain while carrying gear that could help a soldier survive if stranded alone. These soldiers, participating in "Tough Ruck 2013," were doing the 26 miles of the Boston Marathon to honor comrades killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, or lost to suicide and PTSD-related accidents after coming home.

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You Won’t See These Homes on Most Blocks

Most homes for sale are fairly practical: three bedrooms, two bathrooms, perhaps a garage. But every so often, homes that are a bit atypical hit the market. Each week we showcase an extraordinary residence in the Zillow Blog series “House of the Week.” Check out a few of our unconventional favorites.  Frank Lloyd Wright's Pottery House This Santa Fe home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright was originally planned for El Paso, Texas. The project never came to be until after Wright's death when the homeowners received permission to resurrect the plans for the artful home. See the pottery house  World Traveler Mainstays of the import business, shipping containers have long been integral components of sending goods around the world. Now, shipping containers are finding a second life as homes. See the Louisiana container home Cave Dwellers These homeowners chose to go back to prehistoric roots and build a home right into the side of a rock formation. Warm in the winter, cool in the summer, this cave home is far from rustic.  See the Arizona cave home Romantic Rendezvous When Frank Sinatra leased this property, Marilyn Monroe often frequented Sinatra’s notorious Rat Pack parties. Rumor has it that Monroe also stayed in the home’s guesthouse on occasion with a certain presidential visitor. See the glassy modern home here  Do the Wave Perched along the water, this eclectic house’s shape mimics the waves cresting on the beach below. Phenomenal sunsets and private beach access make the home a perfect retreat. See the California wave house Old World Charm Be transported to Russia without leaving New Jersey. Bring the outside in with natural elements including a floating stone fireplace, 20-foot-tall ceilings and woodwork sourced from trees on the property. Tour the home See more Houses of the Week on Zillow Blog  Vote for Zillow in the Webby Awards!   The Webby Awards celebrate the Web's best sites in advertising, film, video and mobile. This year, Zillow is proud to be nominated for two categories: “Best Real Estate Website” and “Best Utilities & Services App”. Vote now through April 26th! Vote for Zillow iPad App  (We appreciate it!) Vote for Zillow Website  (We appreciate it!)

Did a WWII nuclear experiment make the University of Chicago radioactive?

Um, No. But did the Manhattan Project’s Enrico Fermi consider the risk to Chicago?

APRIL 16, 2013

BY KATIE MINGLE

(WBEZ/Logan Jaffe)

This monument at the University of Chicago lies near the site where scientists first created a sustained nuclear chain reaction.

"In 1942 Enrico Fermi and a team of physicists at the University of Chicago built a nuclear reactor in a squash court under the South Side university’s football field. Their successful experiment was a key step toward the creation of the first atomic bomb and, eventually, nuclear power. Impressive, but numerous accounts say the primitive test reactor was constructed with little shielding to protect the outside world from radiation."

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Thanks to Mirjana Bartl Sampos for sharing on Facebook.

* Extra note - While in Boy Scouts we hiked around the Forest Preserve where the U of C stored some of their material. We found a large metal shed, unlocked, with large piles of strange black dirt. 

Naturally we had to climb and jump in it.  I guess it was ok.

Attaboy, Chicago

 

Thanks to Mirjana Bartle Sampos for sharing.

 

"This week, the Mayor discussed Chicago’s leadership in STEM education and making sure our students have the education they need for tomorrow’s careers at the 100Kin10 Summit. Read more on Chicago Digital: http://bit.ly/11hegUc

 

Aphorism

​ Definition of APHORISM 1: A concise statement of a principle 2: A terse formulation of a truth or sentiment : adage APHORISMS OF THE YEAR... It's not whether you win or lose, But how you place the blame. You are not drunk If you can lie on the floor Without holding on.

A Fool and his money can throw one heck of a party

When blondes have more fun, do they know it?

Five days a week my body is a temple. The other two it's an amusement park.

LEARN FROM YOUR PARENTS' MISTAKESUSE BIRTH CONTROL

Money isn't everything, But it sure keeps the kids in touch.

Don't Drink and Drive You might hit a bump and spill something.

If at first you don't succeed Skydiving is not for you

Reality is only an illusion That occurs due to a lack of alcohol.

We are born naked, wet and hungry. Then things get worse.

We have enough "youth" How about a fountain of "smart"

The original point and click interface Was a Smith & Wesson.

Red meat is not bad for you  Fuzzy green meat is bad for you.

Ninety-nine percent of all lawyers Give the rest a bad name.

Xerox and Wurlitzer will merge To produce reproductive organs.

Alabama state motto: At least we're not Mississippi

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS NO MATCH FOR NATURAL STUPIDITY.

The latest survey shows that Three out of four people make Up 75% of the population

"You know why a banana is like a politician?"  "He comes in and first he is green, Then he turns yellow And then he's rotten."

"I think Congressmen should wear uniforms, You know, like NASCAR drivers, so we could  Identify their corporate sponsors."

We Don't Have Hurricanes in Chicago