The Braden River High School family paid tribute to one of its own who gave the ultimate sacrifice during a special memorial prior to the start of the Pirates football versus Palmetto Sept. 16.
The Pirates honored former football player and 2008 graduate U.S. Army Spc. 4 Patrick Lay II who was killed Aug. 11 in an IED attack while serving in Afghanistan.
During the memorial, Braden River presented Lay's family with a football helmet, autographed Ohio State football, a Pirate flag and an engraved poster of their son, which will hang in the school's front office. VFW Post 12055 Post Commander Dave Daily also presented Lay's family with a memorial commendation.