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Herb Larnerd was presented with a special thank you gift from the association for all the hard work he has put into our group. We took a few minutes to thank him and "roast" him just a little at the banquet.
Herb, from the entire association, we thank you for everything you have done. You have touched each and every one of us and we will miss you come football season next year.
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Here is a close up of the gift from the association. It says:
"Presented to Herb Larnerd for 24 years of Commitment, Excellence, Frendship, and Mentoring you have bround to the North Alabama Football Officials Association. You are a true professional and will be missed by all. Years of service 1984-2008 Date presented: November 13, 2008
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From Herb Larnerd:
I wanted to thank each of you for putting up with me for these 25 years. I've seen too many official's stay too long after a good career and then go out with less than happy memories. It's my time to say I'm hanging up my cleats. I've enjoyed it very much but I've finally accepted the fact that I'm getting older. My priorities are to give the kids the best of my ability that I can each game but I feel that my ability and after game recovery are both slowly deteriorating rather than improving.
I can honestly say that I have never been "roasted" before; kind of liked it; it's was funny and humbling at the same time. I wonder what you all could have said if you had more than one game to reference, quite a bit more I suspect. Thanks to Mark Neely for putting it all together and all those who helped him and thanks to everyone for the beautiful plaque. My wife Jane is busy finding a prominent place in the living room to display it, she really loves it.
A special thanks to all those that stopped by and talked to me last night at the banquet and all those who were a part of this special occasion for me. For those of you that could not attend, I wanted to take this chance to say thanks to you too, I wish I could have done it person.
Another special thanks to the board of NAFOA for their support over the years, the general membership for listening when I talked, and for each of you that has worked a ball game with me. I hope that in some small way I have either helped you or given you something to think about. I know that I have learned a lot about football from each of you. We have a great association and I will miss both NAFOA and football very much. Many associations have multiple super six officials on staff but there is only one association that has two State Official of Year honorees; NAFOA. Keep up the good work, never stop trying to improve, and stay in touch.
Thanks again for being part of my memories and my war stories I can tell to my Grandkids. Best of luck to each of you and I hope to see you down in Birmingham some day at the Super 6.
Herb Larnerd