Wall Township Local 234 helps make every football game at Wall High School a tribute to 9 / 11
Check the scoreboard : They never forget
Wall Township Local 234 helps make every football game at Wall High School a tribute to 9 / 11
n BY AMBER RAMUNDO
Wall Township Local 234 ’ s honorable mission to never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9 / 11 comes to life every time the lights go on at the Wall High School football field .
But it all started with putting together a football team of their own . In January , Local 234 members assembled a team of players to participate in the Fallen Heroes Flag Football Tournament . The officers joined multiple teams of law enforcement , firefighters and EMT personnel at MetLife Stadium for a day of friendly competition and immense honor for those who gave their lives while responding to the World Trade Center . Little did Local 234 know , each win on the field brought them closer to becoming the tournament champions and winners of a cash prize of $ 6,500 .
“ We knew the tournament was raising money for 9 / 11 charities , but we had no idea that we were getting any sort of prize for winning ,” shared Mike Steitz , a Local 234 member who participated in the tournament that day .
Following the tournament , Local 234 members made it their mission to donate the money to a cause that would benefit the five families in Wall Township who had lost a loved one on 9 / 11 . In order to find the best project , Steitz felt it was paramount that Local 234 receive feedback from the families of the victims .
“ I sat down with the victims ’ families and told them some of our ideas ,” Steitz explained . “ In the end , they wanted to do something that would give back to the town while at the same time get people to keep 9 / 11 on their minds and never forget .”
The decision came down to a new high school football scoreboard dedicated to the fallen heroes of 9 / 11 . Local 234 immediately went to work on the project . Businesses and members of the community were happy to contribute to the cost of the $ 24,000 custom-made scoreboard . d
Wall Township Local 234 members distributed flowers to the families affected by 9 / 11 .
Lakewood Local 71 lined one side of the football field at the Wall High School home opener against Lakewood .
Monmouth County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums performed on the Wall High School football field .
Wall Township Local 234 joined in saluting the fallen heroes of 9 / 11 .
46 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ SEPTEMBER 2018