In this edition of Why I Serve, featuring Wounded Warrior Project, the Recorder sat down with St. Augustine resident Mario Caycedo, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Kuwait and Iraq. He recently graduated from the MBA program at the University of Florida and is soon to launch his own business venture.

The Recorder stopped by Nease spring football practice on Thursday to check in with new head coach Collin Drafts, who was in town this week for the second time since taking the job.

In this edition of Why I Serve, featuring Wounded Warrior Project, the Recorder sat down with Nocatee resident Josh Wathen, an Army veteran who served as a military police officer in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kyrgyzstan. Wathen was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) twice while on patrols in Iraq. He currently is in graduate school at University of North Florida (UNF) and is a grad manager with the men’s basketball team.

Ninety resumes, eight candidates, two final candidates and several interviews later, Ponte Vedra High School has found the man it believes will not only continue the winning ways of its football program, but elevate that standard too.

In this edition of Why I Serve, featuring Wounded Warrior Project, the Recorder sat down with St. Augustine resident Charlamain Caycedo, a Navy veteran of four years who served in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the Persian Gulf.

After Jim Furyk birdied on 18 late Sunday at THE PLAYERS, a few tears crept down his face as he tipped his hat to the crowd and walked toward the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse. At that moment, Furyk was the leader of the tournament at 15-under, but perhaps more significant, the longtime area resident was home, with friends and family in the crowd, and he had returned to a state of his game not seen in years.

In this edition of Why I Serve, featuring Wounded Warrior Project, the Recorder sat down with Ed Waller, a retired captain who spent 25 years in the Navy. Waller was a P-3 Orion pilot who, among several other experiences and responsibilities, tracked Soviet submarines during the Cold War.

In this edition of Why I Serve, featuring Wounded Warrior Project, the Recorder sat down with Chet Kevin Crowell, a retired sergeant first class who served as a parachuter in the Army in Panama and Iraq. Crowell received his service dog from K9s For Warriors in 2012.

In this edition of Why I Serve, featuring Wounded Warrior Project, the Recorder sat down with Honor Andruzzi, a Navy veteran and St. Augustine resident who served from 1996 to 2005, specializing in field medical services and physical therapy.

Maria Poole (@PonteVedraTravelGal) is a luxury travel advisor based in Ponte Vedra Beach.

This week’s Athlete of the Week is Davis Lee, a Ponte Vedra High School senior who has committed to playing golf at the University of North Florida (UNF). Earlier this year, Lee medaled in the U.S. Amateur qualifier after shooting his second 67 in a row and finishing with a 10-under-par 134. More recently, Lee finished with a score of 154 among boys ages 16 to 18 at the Timacuan Golf & Country Club course.

Becky Yanni is the executive director of the St. Johns County Council on Aging (COA).

A resident of Neptune Beach, Pixie Larizza is a local artist, teacher at UNF and retired massage therapist.

This week's Athlete of the Week highlights Nease soccer player Savio Palushi Jr., a center midfielder on the boys team that has started 6-0 with wins over Bishop Kenny, St. Johns Country Day, Middleburg, Bolles, Bartram Trail and Episcopal.

In this edition of Why I Serve, featuring Wounded Warrior Project, Dan Nevins, a retired staff sergeant from the United States Army, sat down with the Recorder. Nevins enlisted in 1991 before retiring in 2006. He was deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom while serving in the California National Guard.

Tim Crosby is a strategic partnerships manager at K9s For Warriors and a longtime resident of Ponte Vedra Beach.

Christy Waldenmaier is the executive vice president of First Choice Brokerage, a National Life Insurance Brokerage Firm with its home office located in Ponte Vedra Beach, where she works alongside her husband, Craig.

Mark Farrell is the founder of Killashee Investments and the president of the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach.

On this week’s edition of Athlete of the Week, Benjamin Naim of the Ponte Vedra Recorder spoke with Nease High School football defensive end Chase Dexter about the Panthers’ season, which ended last Friday night. One of Dexter’s biggest accomplishments this season was scoring the game-winning touchdown to lead his team to a 14-13 victory against St. Augustine on Friday, Oct. 19.

Tim Forson is the superintendent of the St. Johns County School District.

The Ponte Vedra Recorder met this week with Ashley Burke, the co-captain of the Ponte Vedra girls golf team, to discuss her performance at regionals, where she finished with a personal best 77. The interview also covered her team’s recent performances, her role as co-captain and more.

This week’s Athlete of the Week segment features Jacob Allsup, a Nease High School football player who made two game-saving tackles to clinch a big win over St. Augustine last Friday, Oct. 19.

Dr. Tom Tomlin is the founder of Ponte Vedra Medical Center, which was recently sold to St. Vincent’s, and a longtime resident of Ponte Vedra.

A Ponte Vedra Beach native and resident, Tammy Barr is the founder of LASH on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville Beach. LASH is a high-end studio specializing in the application of eyelash extensions, full service facials, brow services (microblading and waxing) and permanent makeup, and a boutique filled with unique merchandise and skin care products.