Amerimix
CrewTracks
EZ Scaffold Corp.
EZG Manufacturing
Hydro Mobile, Inc.
Loot
Non-Stop Scaffolding
PROSOCO, Inc.
SOLA/Keson
SPEC MIX LLC
Stabila
Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
Find-a-Contractor Masonry Buyer's Guide
August 2002

Phoenix ... Rising From the Ashes

President’s Message

By

The events of September 11, 2001 will long be etched in our minds, hearts and lives. The horror and heroism of that day have touched us all. Through that tragedy, we have become closer both as citizens and as a nation.

I marvel at how much easier it is for total strangers to reach out and make a connection. A new spirit of patriotism has exploded in America and none is more evident than what has happened at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. For those of you who have not been watching closely, a remarkable feat has been taking place unlike what we have ever witnessed before. The reconstruction of the Pentagon, code named "The Phoenix Project", is being completed at a remarkable pace. What would have normally taken two years to complete, with piles of government red tape, has evolved into a monumental task to finish the project by September 11, 2002. Just one year after the attack, wreckage cleared, material ordered, plans developed and military personnel moved into the new offices and functioning...a clear sign of American perseverance and spirit.

This month's feature is an awe-inspiring story of the unbelievable work that has taken place at the Pentagon. Roy Swindal of Masonry Arts in Bessemer, AL, an MCAA Board member, took MCAA Executive Director, Mike Adelizzi and Masonry magazine Editor, Tom Inglesby on a tour of the Phoenix Project. It was evident from the start that only the spirit, ingenuity and determination of those American heroes working on the Phoenix Project could bring it in on time to ensure success.

Masonry Arts had been working on a major renovation project at the Pentagon prior to the attack on September 11th. Imagine what two of their employees experienced as they were heading back to the Pentagon with supplies just two blocks away when the plane hit in nearly the same spot they had been working. Imagine just days after the attack at 2 a.m., as fires still raged and the magnitude of what had happened began to set-in, Pentagon officials in charge of rebuilding the destroyed section, gave instructions to start rebuilding. Imagine no work order, no contract, no plan, just get it done. We will deal with the contracts later. Imagine removing destroyed blackened stone, measuring and numbering the pieces, ordering new stone to be cut to match the old stone. Moving equipment, materials and personnel, working literally on top of other trades, struggling to get their operations established...all working at a feverish pace. Imagine all this taking place on the word of a Pentagon official who said, "I'll take care of everything". Imagine completing a section of your project and then being given the plans for the work after it was completed, having the faith that you did it correctly and that someone would back your company.

According to Roy Swindal, the spirit of patriotism and a desire to "do something" guided this project from the onset. Unlike the World Trade Towers, something could be done at the Pentagon. On the construction site there is a Time Clock, much like you would see at a high school football game, which ticks off the seconds, minutes, hours and days until September 11, 2002. A constant reminder of the date that all must be completed. Above the clock, the words, "Lets Roll" inspire the crews. According to Roy, this is a constant reminder to all of what happened and the unparalleled accomplishment of what can be done when Americans are inspired to act.

Masonry has played a major role in the Phoenix Project. From the stonework being done by Masonry Arts to the concrete masonry work being done by J. D. Long, another MCAA member, our industry was well represented. We have much to be proud of today. And when you watch the special ceremonies planned for September 11, 2002 on television, take pride in knowing masonry played a key role in the restoration of our Pentagon.

Chairman’s Message Archive

The American Dream

August 2019
The American Dream

Doing Our Part

May 2019
Doing Our Part

Preparing for D.C.

April 2019
Preparing for D.C.

Recent Updates

September 2018
Recent Updates

Masonry’s Future

August 2018
Masonry’s Future

Worthwhile Work

June 2018
Worthwhile Work

A New Beginning

February 2018
A New Beginning

Givers Gain

January 2018
Givers Gain

Things to Remember

March 2017
Things to Remember

Looking Forward

February 2017
Looking Forward

A Fresh Start

January 2017
A Fresh Start

Who Moved My Cheese?

September 2016
Who Moved My Cheese?

Giving back

December 2015
Giving back

An exciting year ahead

February 2015
An exciting year ahead

Defining success

December 2014
Defining success

Staying busy for you

August 2014
Staying busy for you

Ready for action

February 2014
Ready for action

Thanks

January 2014
Thanks

Happy holidays

December 2013
Happy holidays

MCAA Midyear update

November 2013
MCAA Midyear update

The MCAA in D.C.

August 2013
The MCAA in D.C.

A Lot Happening

July 2013
A Lot Happening

Eye opening

June 2013
Eye opening

Positive movement

March 2013
Positive movement

Headed to Vegas

February 2013
Headed to Vegas

New beginning

January 2013
New beginning

It’s finally over

December 2012
It’s finally over

My trip to the Rockies

November 2012
My trip to the Rockies

The 2012 election

October 2012
The 2012 election

Stay involved

September 2012
Stay involved

Networking

August 2012
Networking

Summer time

July 2012
Summer time

Exciting time

June 2012
Exciting time

Working for you

May 2012
Working for you

New beginnings

March 2012
New beginnings

Farewell!

February 2012
Farewell!

One more to go!

January 2012
One more to go!

Join us in Vegas

November 2011
Join us in Vegas

As the world turns

August 2011
As the world turns

A Bright Future

May 2011
A Bright Future

Tidbits From MCAA

March 2011
Tidbits From MCAA

Time Flies By

February 2011
Time Flies By

The End of the Year

December 2010
The End of the Year

Busy Times!

November 2010
Busy Times!

South of 40

October 2010
South of 40

What Are We Doing?

August 2010
What Are We Doing?

Moving Forward

March 2010
Moving Forward

A Fond Farewell

February 2010
A Fond Farewell

A New Year

January 2010
A New Year

Start the Year Strong

December 2009
Start the Year Strong

MCAA in D.C.

September 2009
MCAA in D.C.

Brick Voids

August 2009
Brick Voids

Vision 2020

February 2009
Vision 2020

State of the Association

February 2009
State of the Association

The Silver Lining

January 2009
The Silver Lining

Impact on the Hill

June 2008
Impact on the Hill

New Horizons

February 2008
New Horizons

Wrapping up Another Year

December 2007
Wrapping up Another Year

Greetings From Italy!

November 2007
Greetings From Italy!

We Need Your Help!

January 2005
We Need Your Help!

The Strength of Unity

November 2003
The Strength of Unity

Changing of the Guard

February 2002
Changing of the Guard

“The MCAA has my back on things I could not possibly be doing by myself.”

Mark Kemp
Superior Masonry Builders, Inc.
MCAA member since 1959

Learn More