2016 Veterans Organization Photos

– SEMPER FI MAGAZINE – MARINE CORPS LEAGUE-
A few months ago the Marine Corps League (of which I am a Life Member) contacted me and asked me to send them some photos of the Hayward 9/11 Memorial (which is also a Veterans and First Responders Memorial) that I designed, had built and we Dedicated on Memorial Day, Monday, 30 May 2016. They specifically wanted a photo of me and other U.S. Marines with the Marine Corps League bench at the Hayward 9/11 Memorial. I got a copy of the Magazine today and one of the photos I sent them is on the FRONT COVER of SEMPER FI magazine. Details are in image #2. This is thrilling since this is the official magazine of the Marine Corps League and will be mailed out all over the USA and the World. Marines and others will see this all over the World – Very Cool ! More about the Memorial at: www.Hayward911Memorial.com
– Spirit of ’45 & Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Event –
Michael went with his girlfriend Mary and his oldest son Nick at an event in San Jose, California with veterans and celebrities. In attendance were several WWII Iwo Jima Battle Survivors. MOH recipient “Woody” Williams. NFL 49ers running back Ricky Watters. Michael passed out Gold Star Memorial business cards, pins, and showed off our new Gold Star Memorial poster. We are working on building a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Hayward, CA and also one in San Jose, CA. Saturday, 13 Feb 2016.
   
– 15th ANNIVERSARY YEAR 9/11 OBSERVANCE –
Photos of a small get together at the Hayward 9/11 Memorial on 11 Sept 2016 at 1PM. This is the FIRST 9/11 observance held at the NEW Hayward 9/11 Memorial. We spoke about our experiences on 9/11/2001 and after. We had patriotic Civilians, Veterans, Government Officials and even the Mayor of Hayward attend. It was a special day and a beautiful and respectful ceremony that ended with 15 seconds of silence (one second for each year) and TAPS. Downtown Hayward, CA on Sunday, 11 September 2016.
– NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT THE DEDICATION –
A couple of nice photos and a caption in the Tri-City Voice newspaper about the dedication of the Hayward 9/11 Memorial on Memorial Day, Monday, 30 May 2016.  Date of the newspaper was on Tuesday, 7 June 2016.
– DEDICATION OF THE HAYWARD 9/11 MEMORIAL –
The Hayward 9/11 Memorial was completed and dedicated in Hayward, California. The event was put on and MCed by Michael L. Emerson who is the Founder, Designer, and Build Manager of the Memorial, with the support of the City of Hayward. The Memorial was built to Honor and Remember the Heroes of 9/11, Hayward Military KIA (Killed In Action) Veterans, and Hayward First Responders who died in the line of duty. We had about 400 people in attendance. Thank you to all who supported and donated to the Memorial. Memorial Day, Monday, 30 May 2016.
– INSTALLING THE 5 BLACK GRANITE PIECES –

MSI delivered the last 5 black granite stones (4 monoliths and 1 center name topper stone).  With the help of Hatton Crane and their crew, Larry Lepore, Brian Morrison and his crew, Chad and the MSI’s crew, donor Ross Bigler, and Michael L. Emerson we glued in the mounting stainless steel dowel rods, off loaded the granite and installed it all. We also installed the new 25 foot black flag pole with an eagle topper.  Last photo is the Memorial build team.  Left: Project Mgr. Larry Lepore, Middle: General Contractor Brian Morrison, and Right: Founder, Designer and Build Mgr. Michael L. Emerson.     At the Hayward 9/11 Memorial site. Hayward, California. Wednesday, 25 May 2016.

– ENGRAVING SMALL BRICK PAVERS –

Workers from Bras & Mattos Monument Co. engraving a batch of Small concrete brick pavers from sponsored donations.  We are doing this last batch of brick engraving before we Dedicate the Memorial this Memorial Day, 30 May 2016.  Hayward, CA. Thursday, 12 May 2016.

– ENGRAVING LARGE BRICK PAVERS –
Andrew (standing) and his workers from Art Monument Company engraving a batch of Large concrete brick pavers from sponsored donations.  Also they engraved the front of the last of the 6 benches for the Marine Corps League.  We are doing this last batch of brick engraving before we Dedicate the Memorial this Memorial Day, 30 May 2016.  Hayward, CA.  Wednesday, 11 May 2016.
– THANK YOU BRICK PAVER FOR HANSON & FITCH –
Account Manager Kari Funaro accepting a “Thank You” brick paver for  Todd Hanson the owner of Hanson & Fitch. They donated the security fencing and installation of the fence around the Memorial site. Photo taken at the Hayward 9/11 Memorial site in Hayward, California.  Thursday, 14 April 2016.
– THANK YOU BRICK PAVER FOR M S INTERNATIONAL –
Sunil Etha & Lokesh Mehta of M S International, Inc. located in Hayward, California and Bangalore, India with a “Thank You” brick paver that we presented to them as a thank you for donating $1,000 USD and for giving us a big discount on the 5 black granite pieces for the Memorial. At the Hayward 9/11 Memorial site in Hayward, California.  Monday, 4 April 2016.
– THE 5 GRANITE PIECES PACKED FOR SHIPPING –
Photos of the 5 black granite stones, 4 monoliths and 1 center name topper stone, all packaged and also installed in the 2 shipping containers ready to be shipped to Oakland, California and then delivered to our Memorial site.  We expect them to be delivered to us the week of 16 May 2016 or 23 May 2016.  Photos taken Friday, 25 March 2016.
– PICTURES OF THE ENGRAVING OF THE 4 MONOLITHS –
Photos of the just completed engraving of the front and back of the 4 Memorial monoliths.  Remember that each of the Monoliths are 10 feet tall at the very top, 4 feet wide and 3 feet thick.  Photo #1:  The New York City-North Tower FRONT of the monolith. Photo #2: The New York City-North Tower BACK of the monolith. Photo #3: The New York City-South Tower FRONT of the monolith. Photo #4: The New York City-South Tower BACK of the monolith. Photo #5: The Pentagon FRONT of the monolith.  Photo #6: The Pentagon BACK of the monolith.  Photo #7: Flight 93 FRONT of the monolith. Photo #8: Flight 93 BACK of the monolith.  Photo #9: The top of the Center Name granite stone.  In Bangalore, India.  Tuesday, 22 March 2016.
– CUTTING AND POLISHING OF THE MONOLITHS –
Photos of the cutting and polishing of the 4 Memorial’s monoliths that are being made in India. They are also supplying us 1 matching center name stone topper. The granite is all looking good.  They will be doing the engraving of the wording and the images on the granite starting next week. We have been in steady contact with the supplier/manufacturer and everything is going ok and the delivery of all 5 granite pieces is still on schedule for the week of 23 May 2016 so we can dedicate the Memorial on Memorial Day, Monday, 30 May 2016.  Photos from 16 March 2016.
– LAST SPONSORSHIP DONATION FOR A MEMORIAL BENCH –
Photos of U.S. Marine and Castro Valley resident Mr. Corbit A. Ray.  Mr. Ray is a veteran of the Korean Conflict and earned a Silver Star in the battle of the “Frozen Chosin.”  Mr. Ray donated $5,000 to sponsor the 6th and last Memorial bench, for the DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS (DAV), which will be at the Hayward 9/11 Memorial. 1st photo:  Michael L. Emerson presenting Mr. Corbit Ray with the “Thank You” brick. 2nd photo: Mr. Ray’s name tag with his unit info.  3rd photo: Mr. Ray with a specially made medallion of his Silver Star.   Castro Valley, CA. Sunday, 7 February 2016.
– COLOR ENHANCING & SEALING OF THE MEMORIAL –

Photo #1: Michael L. Emerson (Memorial Designer), Paul Beaton (owner of Cleaner One) and Sean who works with Paul. Cleaner One donated the labor to clean, color enhance and seal the bricks, granite and concrete of the Memorial. Photos #2 & #3: The finished cleaned, color enhanced and sealed bricks, granite and concrete. You can see the bricks and granite look much different with vibrant darker red colors. Hayward, California. Thursday, 28 January 2016.