For Veterans Day, here are 11 Eagle Scout projects that benefited veterans

Many Eagle Scout candidates choose a project that benefits our nation’s veterans and active-duty soldiers.

In honor of Veterans Day, here are 11 great examples.

1. Pennsylvania monument honors veterans

Trevor Drawbaugh, a 17-year-old from Dauphin, Pa., raised $29,000 to build a granite monument honoring veterans of all ages.

“By doing this I hope I touched the hearts of veterans around this area … and show them that everyone appreciates what they do and I appreciate what they do,” Trevor said.

2. Scout documents veterans’ stories for Library of Congress

Derek Copeland, a 17-year-old from Philadelphia enlisted 16 veterans to tell their stories to be archived at the Library of Congress as part of its Veterans History Project.

The veterans were from World War II, not World War I. “I wish I could have some First World War vets, but they’re a little past their prime today,” Derek said.

3. Eagle Scout beautifies area surrounding Indiana memorial

Logan Castro, a 16-year-old from South Bend, Ind., refurbished the grounds surrounding the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Chesterton, Ind.

“I chose this project to respect and honor the men on the wall behind me,” Logan said.

4. Missouri monument recognizes veterans’ sacrifice

Bryan Ritchey from Dardenne Prairie, Mo., built a monument to honor servicemen and servicewomen. He raised $18,000 for the project.

“Honoring our service members has been something that’s been with me through my childhood,” Bryan said. “My dad and I approached men and women in uniform, shook their hand and showed our appreciation. So, I wanted to do something to honor them.”

5. Braille American flags benefit War Veterans Homes

William Martin, a 16-year-old from Baton Rouge, La., created “Touch & See,” a project to raise funds to install a bronze Braille American flag at all five War Veterans Homes in the state.

“I didn’t even know this bronze American flag existed until my mom’s friend told her about it,” he said. “I thought it would be a great project.”

6. Cemetery database help volunteers place flags

John Silvernail, a 16-year-old from Athens, Ala., mapped four cemeteries and built a database locating over 400 veterans’ graves.

The maps will help volunteers place flags on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Christmas. John said his mission and purpose can be summed up in two words: “Honoring veterans.”

7. Veterans memorial includes engraved pavers, flags and statues

Cody Eckels from Tyrone, Pa., received the 2014 Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award for his project that honors veterans with engraved pavers, military flags and statues complete with landscaping.

“I kinda grew up with Scouting,” Cody said. “It showed me what’s the right thing to do and what’s not the right thing to do. … It really made me into the man I turned today.”

8. Eagle Scout restores veterans cemetery

Zachary Schultz from Gloucester, Mass., restored the Beechbrook Veterans Cemetery — the final resting place for more than 325 American veterans.

“I would like people to see that the efforts were made with respect and honor,” Zachary said.

9. Civil War veterans identified

Raymond McCormack from Westhampton, N.J., identified civil war veterans buried in the Bordentown Cemetery and evaluated their gravestones for possible replacement by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

10. Purple Heart veterans honored

Ramon Solis from San Diego designed, led and coordinated the construction and implementation of a granite memorial commemorating Purple Heart Veterans for the city of San Marcos, Calif.

The Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

11. Veterans’ quality of life improved

Nathan McCollum from Canton, Ohio, improved the quality of life of residents at the Hilltop Villa veteran’s home in Wooster, Ohio.

“The most important thing, I would probably have to say, is helping the veterans,” Nathan said.

BONUS: Four other ways Scouting and veterans are strong partners

1. The American Legion supports Scouting: We’re thankful for the support of the American Legion, which charters more than 2,500 Scout units. As noted on the American Legion website, “this is natural for Legionnaires, who bring their service-learned skills and experiences as veterans to help build character and positive traits in our country’s youth.”
2. The BSA hosts veterans at the Summit Bechtel Reserve: Each year, the Boy Scouts of America teams up with the West Virginia National Guard to sponsor the annual Veterans and Community Heroes Appreciation Day at SBR.
3. The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) sponsors Scout units: Veterans of Foreign Wars, which fights for the rights of its 1.7 million members nationwide, also serves Scout units. VFW posts charter more than 1,000 Scout units nationwide and offer a Scout of the Year scholarship program for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
4. Scouts place flags on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day and Veterans Day: On Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year, thousands of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers and Sea Scouts visit cemeteries to place flags on the graves of veterans. These individuals made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and this Scouting service project is a small gesture of our gratitude.