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Legacy Pavers Program honors military service members — past, present, and future

  • Published
  • By Mary Nell Sanchez
  • 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Permanent tributes prominently displayed all around Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland that either marked a moment in time, or a job well done, were created by the Airman Heritage Foundation Legacy Paver Program.

 

The AHF Legacy Paver Program began in 2010 with the mission to recognize the efforts of many people from all military service branches serving their country.

 

“The pavers themselves are not just there with the names of our Airmen,” said Ricardo A. Ramirez, AHF Legacy Paver Program manager. “They also have the names of those who have provided critical support to our Airmen.”

 

Each paver has a different message that is captured in three lines and 14 characters.

 

“They highlight a successful career. They highlight military milestones such as promotions. They highlight the difference a mentor has made in the life of our Airmen,” Ramirez said. “They highlight the pain of family and friends of [prisoners of war] or [missing in action] and they highlight some of the families that have been torn through war.”

 

Legacy Paver Program volunteers recently installed more than 2,000 weather-worn pavers around the JBSA-Lackland parade field. The memorable markers can also be found around the national memorial at JBSA-Lackland honoring military working dogs. There is also a paver section reserved for military training instructors as well as basic military training honor graduates at the parade field.

 

“I think it’s important that we tell the Air Force story,” Ramirez adds. “I think it’s important that we capture the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform, and we never forget those sacrifices.”

 

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Wendell Ray Cornish, AHF treasurer, has purchased five pavers for himself and his family. He wants to continue to highlight the hard work done by all enlisted personnel.

 

“There’s all kinds of different ways of recording individual service,” Cornish said. “This is just part of the total objective of creating a heritage campus that allows the recording of enlisted contribution to the Air Force and our nation. The pavers that we’re talking about are just part of that process.”

 

Cornish will continue to support the pavers program and all efforts that remind our nation of what’s being done for our country.

 

“I do total service to my nation, for 41 years. I love what I’m doing. I continue to do it as a retired individual,” Cornish said. “Other than my wife, the Air Force is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

 

Pavers cost $80 each or $75 for two or more. Each purchased paver has a lifetime warranty.

 

“Each paver is part of our history. “It’s a lasting legacy,” Ramirez said.

 

For more information on purchasing a paver, log on to whttp://ww.myairmanmuseum.org.