The Wall That Heals (pictured above) is a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
A Veteran is someone who is brave and courageous, a person who lives with integrity, and, at CPL, a person who we admire for their hard work in many aspects of their lives. This month, we are shining the spotlight on the team members who have truly exemplified our core values, and who have helped give us the freedoms we enjoy every day. We also highlight a Veterans Memorial project that allows citizens to show their appreciation for our Veterans.
Ashley Leonard – Electrical Engineering Team
Ashley was a Senior Airman (E-4) in the Air Force, where he served from 1991-1995. “I joined mainly to get out of town to be honest. I wanted to learn some different skills and to see different parts of the world. I do love my country, the freedom and liberty it stands for, and I believed that serving in the military was one way of giving back to it,” he said.
Allen Turner – Visualization and Media Production
Allen served in the United States Marine Corps for four years, from 1991-1995, as a Corporal (E-4). “I joined the military, first and foremost, to serve my country and honor a family tradition of military service. The unexpected benefits to me were that through that service, I developed a strong sense of self-discipline, integrity and a lifelong bond with the fraternity of brothers and sisters I served with,” he said.
Issac Lewis – Municipal Team
Issac served as a United States Marine from 1996-1999. He was assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and is a Code Enforcement Officer at CPL.
Joe Garland – Civil Engineering Team
Joe served as an SP4 in the United States Army. Called to duty from a military obligation, he served his county from 1970-1976.
Shauncy Maloy, P.E. – Civil Engineering Team
Shauncy served as a Staff Sergeant (E-6) in the Army National Guard for 9 years, from 2001-2010. “I joined for a combination of reasons; out of a desire to serve my country, as a way to pay for school, and as a way to maintain my ability to speak Russian. (I already spoke Russian and joined a linguist unit.) I am proud of my service. I did 9 years of active reserve with 3 deployments during that 9 years. I got out to spend more time with my family,” he said.
Gregory Jacquet, Sr. – Municipal Team
Gregory served for six years in the United States Marine Corps as a Corporal (E-4), and for three years with the Coast Guard as an E-4 from 1983-1989. Referring to his service as a “family duty”, Gregory describes the tradition: “My Grandfather and Father both served in the United States Army as Officers. My Grandfather made 14 trips with a supply vessel to Europe during WWII,” he said. “Three of my four children have served and my youngest son is currently active duty in the United States Coast Guard stationed in Hawaii.”
Rick Raymond – IT Team
Rick served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Armed Forces for 10 years… and 1 month, 3 days, 6 hours, 4 minutes… and jokes he wasn’t counting. Yearning to represent his country, he joined the Armed Forces after missing the Olympics by one race in the qualifying regatta.
Deborah Barletta, CIP, LEED AP BD+C – IT Team
Deb served as an Army Reservist for four and a half years. Humble in her service, she extends warm recognition for those Veterans who were actively involved in combat.
Alex West – Architectural Team
Alex served as a Seabee in the Navy for 8 years, attaining the rank of Builder Second Class Petty Officer (BU2).In 2009, Alex served a tour in Iraq. “I joined the Navy for several reasons. One I wasn’t ready to go to college and I needed a way to pay for college. I also wanted to do something for my country. I also have had several grandparents and uncles in the military. I am thankful for the experience and glad that I did it,” he said.
David Sammel, AIA – Architectural Team
A true leader through and through, Dave served 15 years as an Infantry Officer in the United States Marine Corps on both active and reserve duty. His candor, integrity and initiative for action allowed him to excel in several leadership positions while in the Marines, and now as a Principal here at CPL.
Mack Cain, RLA, LEED AP – Landscape Architecture Team
Mack spent three years in the reserves for the United States Marine Corps as a PLC 2nd Lieutenant from 1972 to 1975. Mack says he felt it was his duty to serve his country. As a professional landscape architect, Mack has found a way to extend his gratitude. Designing two previous military memorials, Mack is now working on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Johns Creek, Atlanta.
The “Wall That Heals” is a traveling memorial that drives across the country to allow people to pay their respects. When the memorial came to Johns Creek, GA a few years ago, it drew more than 10,000 people. After five years of travel, the Wall was auctioned off to the highest bidder, using those funds to construct a new wall to travel. The City of Johns Creek, GA won the bid, and gave the wall a permanent home in their Veterans Park section of Newtown Park.
Standing at 240 feet long and 3 to 8 feet tall, the memorial is a half-scale replica of the wall in Washington, D.C. The memorial now has a permanent residence in Atlanta.
Although the project was contracted under CPL, Mack donated most of his time pro-bono to the Veterans.
* This list includes those team members that were willing to share a bit about their service, but is not an all-inclusive list of all Veterans at CPL.
