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Eagle Scout service project benefits Northside VFW

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By Conor Smyth
Boy Scout Troop 127

On April 15, Garrett Smyth completed a service project at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8483 on County Highway CV as one of the final steps on his journey to earning the Eagle Scout rank.

Garrett has been involved in scouting since he was 7 years old, first in Cub Scout Pack 127 at Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church and now in Boy Scout Troop 127. The troop meets weekly at St. Peter Catholic Church, which chartered the former Troop 23 before it merged with Troop 127.

Garrett’s service project was building a ceremonial fire pit for flag retirements. VFW Post 8483 receives hundreds of worn U.S. flags from various locations each year. It’s not possible for all of them to be retired as part of an official ceremony, but when it’s a special flag or special occasion, the VFW will now have a place to stage a ceremony. This will be great for both the military veterans who belong to the VFW and for area scouts of all ages and types.

Scouts from Troop 127 helped Garrett with his Eagle project, along with troop leaders and family members. Showing leadership in this type of project is one of the important elements in demonstrating his readiness for the rank of Eagle Scout. The VFW was a great and supportive partner throughout the process.

If you know a boy aged 11‒17 who you think could benefit from a program that teaches civics, leadership, outdoor skills and other character-building lessons and adventures, you can contact Troop 127’s Scoutmaster Paul Hughes at 215-5374 or psusparks@gmail.com.

If you know a boy in elementary school who could benefit from the early stages of building these characteristics, maybe Cub Scouts is for him. You can contact Pack 127’s Cubmaster Justin Sargent at 220-2342 or iscuba@sbcglobal.net.

If you’re a military veteran and wonder what the VFW is all about, you can visit www.vfw.org or stop in to Post 8483 anytime for lunch or dinner and ask one of the members. There is always something happening there.