A Life of Service: The Ryan Rawl Memorial Workout and the Power of Local Giving

The South Carolina State House grounds at 8.00am on 4 July are far from quiet. While most people are still planning their holiday barbecues, dozens of first responders, military veterans, families and fitness enthusiasts gather in the pre-dawn darkness for the 13th annual Ryan Rawl Memorial Workout. There’s no fanfare or corporate sponsorship banners – just people who understand that some tributes require sweat, not just sentiment.

This year’s event, hosted by Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and his department, continues a tradition that began in 2013 with a simple promise: that Deputy Ryan Rawl would not be forgotten. Rawl, a 2004 graduate of The Citadel with a Criminal Justice degree, served as both a Richland County deputy and a 1st Lieutenant in the South Carolina Army National Guard’s 133rd Military Police Company.

A Hero’s Story

On 20 June 2012, Rawl was manning a security checkpoint at a crowded market in Khost, Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border, when a suicide bomber struck. The explosion killed Rawl and two fellow soldiers – Sergeant John David Meader II of Lexington, who also served with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and Sergeant First Class Matthew B. Thomas of Travelers Rest. Five other Americans were seriously wounded, and 21 Afghans were killed.

‘We’re doing this on the morning of Independence Day as we have for the past 12 years as a way to honor and remember our own Deputy and S.C. Army National Guard officer Ryan Rawl,’ says Sheriff Lott. ‘Because of the time of day, 8:00 a.m., it really serves as a special kickoff to all Independence Day celebrations here in the Midlands, and through this, Ryan and his family will never be forgotten; not as long as I’m the sheriff.’

The event came about from a mother’s fear. Mrs Diane Rawl worried that her son ‘might one day be forgotten’. Sheriff Lott’s response was to create something that would ensure Ryan’s memory lived on through action rather than just words.

Fitness with Purpose

The memorial workout follows the station-to-station format popularised by CrossFit, incorporating exercises rooted in military and law enforcement physical fitness traditions. Participants move through different challenges, each designed to test endurance, strength and mental toughness – qualities that defined Rawl’s service both in uniform and as a school resource officer.

The tradition of memorial workouts for fallen service members has deep roots in military culture. CrossFit Hero WODs (Workouts of the Day) became popular after 2005, when the fitness community began creating challenging tributes to honour those killed in the line of duty, particularly around Memorial Day.

Bruce Brutschy, a Midlands-area fitness instructor and longtime supporter of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, sees the connection between physical challenge and remembrance. ‘I cannot think of a better way to initiate our weekend long celebration of Independence than to honor a fallen soldier and a deputy through a gathering of amateur, maybe a few professional, athletes; first responders; and families all on a physical fitness mission,’ he says. ‘Young men like Ryan Rawl and his family have been sacrificing for our nation since April 19, 1775, almost eight months before we as a nation declared our Independence. It’s all connected.’

Where the Money Goes

The Ryan Rawl Memorial Workout raises funds for The Big Red Barn Retreat in Blythewood, South Carolina. The retreat provides free or low-cost, non-clinical services specifically for veterans, active-duty military and first responders dealing with combat-related stress and trauma.

The retreat serves over 2,500 veterans and first responders annually through programmes like the Warrior PATHH programme, a nine-month course that begins with a seven-day residential intensive and continues with ongoing support. Since 2014, the retreat has helped over 10,000 individuals, offering services from equine-assisted therapy to art and music therapy, yoga and meditation.

The statistics behind this work are sobering. Approximately 40% of South Carolina’s veterans and first responders face mental health challenges, according to data from the Truist Foundation, which awarded the retreat $25,000 in 2022 to fund its programmes. The retreat’s approach focuses on posttraumatic growth rather than just managing symptoms – helping participants turn their struggles into strength.

The Value of Targeted Giving

The Ryan Rawl Memorial Workout represents something increasingly rare in charitable giving – sustained, local impact driven by personal connection rather than marketing campaigns. While national veterans’ organisations play vital roles, grassroots events like this show how community-based fundraising can create lasting change.

The annual nature of the event builds consistency that large, one-off donations often lack. Participants return year after year, creating a reliable funding stream for The Big Red Barn Retreat’s ongoing programmes. The personal connection – honouring a specific individual whose story the community knows – makes the giving more meaningful than abstract appeals to support ‘veterans in need’.

This model of memorial fundraising through fitness challenges has gained traction nationwide, with thousands participating in hero workouts globally each year. The combination of physical challenge and charitable purpose creates engagement that traditional fundraising methods struggle to match.

How to Support

Registration is required to participate in the 2025 Ryan Rawl Memorial Workout, but supporters don’t need to attend to make a difference. Direct donations to The Big Red Barn Retreat support programmes that provide long-term assistance to veterans and first responders dealing with trauma and mental health challenges.

The retreat’s approach – offering free or low-cost services through a combination of residential programmes and ongoing support – means donations have direct impact on participants’ lives. Unlike some larger charities where administrative costs can consume significant portions of donations, the retreat’s focused model ensures funds reach those who need help.

The workout begins at 8.00am sharp at the South Carolina State House in Columbia. For those who prefer to support without sweating, donations can be made directly to The Big Red Barn Retreat, with all proceeds from the memorial workout benefiting the organisation’s programmes for veterans and first responders.

Beyond the Workout

As participants gather in the early morning darkness on 4 July, the scene reflects something deeper than a fitness event. Families stand alongside law enforcement officers, veterans next to civilians, all united by respect for service and sacrifice. The silence between exercises carries weight – moments of reflection on what Independence Day actually means and what it has cost.

Sheriff Lott’s commitment extends beyond the annual event. Ryan Rawl’s portrait, unveiled in 2023, hangs in the department, painted by Master Deputy Rachel Myers. The deputy’s parents, Stanley and Diane Rawl, remain involved in the memorial workout, seeing their son’s legacy continue to serve others through the funds raised for veterans and first responders who face similar struggles.

‘No matter what you may have planned for the day, really a long weekend because the 4th falls on a Friday, this is the best way to gather with friends, enjoy a great workout, reflect on the significance of the day and honor one of our own without whose sacrifice – and those who’ve sacrificed like him – ‘independence’ would be a hollow word,’ Lott adds.

The Ryan Rawl Memorial Workout proves that effective charitable giving doesn’t require million-dollar galas or celebrity endorsements. Sometimes the most powerful tributes happen at dawn, when a community gathers to sweat, remember and support those who continue to serve. Rather than performative charity and social media campaigns, this annual gathering offers something more substantial – consistent, personal and effective support for veterans and first responders who need it most.