September 11, 2009
By Al Herndon
On Friday night, September 11th, the Florida Masonry Apprentice and Education Foundation, the Masonry Association Northeast Chapter, and the Florida Concrete Products Association helped the citizens of St. Augustine salute the veterans of Northeast Florida at the Menendez-Nease High school football game.
Prior to the kickoff, a ceremony honoring the veterans was presented by both schools. Each principal spoke on the sacrifices that had been made for this country. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard presented the colors at the Veterans’ Memorial Wall built by the masonry students at Menendez. The Nease ROTC presented the colors for the National Anthem played by the bands of both schools. Pat McLaughlin, Executive Director of MAF, spoke about the relevance of the masonry industry and our ongoing support of the St. Johns County Schools. The Superintendent of Schools and the Sheriff of St. Johns County honored the police and firemen who gave their lives on 9/11.
The highlight of the pre-game program was a presentation on the meaning of freedom by the mother of a slain veteran of the Iraq war. Her son had graduated from Nease High School.
A commemorative coin was struck for the game and presented to each player on both teams. The North Florida Officials Association provided a crew of officials, all of whom were veterans.
The Masonry industry provided a trowel trophy that will become a traveling trophy as these two teams meet each year.
The ceremony concluded with a flyover by a World War II era plane that had been used as a trainer.
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