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