Masonry Magazine May 2007 Page. 62
MASONRY AROUND THE NATION
WOUNDED VETERAN RECEIVES
Home Sweet Home
ON MAY 2, 2004, PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS JEFE BLACKMON WAS INJURED IN A MORTAR ATTACK IN IRAQ THAT KILED SEVEN OF HIS FELLOW SEABEES FROM THE JACKSONVILLE, FLA-BASED NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION. The injuries Blackmon sustained left him a quadriplegic. When citizens in both South Georgia and North Florida heard about Blackmon's valor in the line of duty, they came together to provide him with a 3,100-square-foot, wheelchair-accessible home.
The creation and completion of the Blackmon family's home turned into a domino effect. In the beginning, students from Georgia Skills at Camden County High School made building Blackmon's new home a community project. From there, Carlos Jones, the construction instructor at Camden County High School, in turn asked the Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Educational Foundation (FMAEF) for assistance with the masonry on the home.
Then, Al Herndon, the FMAEF northern apprenticeship representative, got several members of the masonry industry involved. Bryan Light of Brick Southeast donated 6,000 bricks, while Mike Beville, a retired Army colonel and masonry instructor for the northeast chapter of the Masonry Association of Florida, along with Robert Carlton of Carlton Walker Block located 12 apprentices and journeyman masons to donate their services for the project. Also, Steve Meggs, a salesman for Florida Rock ane a mason by trade, assisted with the masonry, while the Georgia Concrete Products Association and Savannah, Ga mason instructors also leant their support.
60 Masonry May 2007
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