Scout’s Eagle Project Revamps Veterans’ Memorial Section of Cold Spring Cemetery

COLD SPRING – Cameron Compare, a Life Scout with West Cape May Troop 73, wants to become an Eagle Scout. At 13, the Crest Memorial School student seems well on his way to attaining that milestone, and possibly becoming one of the youngest in recent memory to reach Boy Scouts highest honor. 
Compare addressed freeholders Sept. 27 about his project in Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery’s veterans’ section. There he engineered placement of seven aluminum flagpoles in a 30-foot blue stone circle with a 20-foot extension for a vault for proper disposal of tattered American flags and two benches for those who wish to sit and reflect.
Atop six of those 20-foot-tall poles flies the flag of a military service as well as that of the Merchant Marine.
Towering above the entire project is a 70-foot flagpole with an American flag.
“I saw what the veterans did for this country, and I felt this was the least I could do,” Compare told freeholders.
“Also I wanted to do something that was big, that people would take notice of, and that would be here for a long time,” he added.
Dedication of the memorial will take place Nov. 5 at 10 a.m.  Compare invited freeholders to attend. Director Gerald Thornton replied he had already replied that he plans to attend.
Compare initially projected the endeavor would cost $27,000. Due to cost overruns and upgrades, the total quickly escalated to $32,000.
“As of today, I have raised $30,000 by doing speeches to the American Legion and to the Sons of the American Legion,” Compare told the board. Additionally, he said family and friends had helped with donations.
“You’re 13 years old and you’re going to become an Eagle Scout?” asked Vice-Director Leonard Desiderio. Compare replied “Yes.”
On a web-based fundraising page, Compare wrote, “With your help, I will replace the current flagpole and flag with a 70-foot flagpole. The pole will also be moved over and back to be centered with the gravestones.
“With the help of my volunteers, I will place a circle of blue stones around the flag.
“I believe this will be a beautiful and respectful place to honor our nation’s heroes,” Compare wrote.
According to Boy Scout statistics from 2015, just under 7 percent of scouts who enter the program attain the Eagle rank. To achieve the rank, a scout is required to earn 21 merit badges, be a Life Scout in his troop for at least six months and pass a board of review for his project.