CREST HAVEN – Boy Scout Ryan Casey, along with his fellow scouts and scoutmasters, arrived at the Cape May County Veterans Cemetery on Oct. 19 with an important job to do. With shovels and power tools in hand, Troop 79 prepared a section of the cemetery for a new monument to honor the Gold Star Mothers of Cape May County.
The previous plaque, affixed to a pillar of crumbling red bricks, was in dire need of repair. When Casey learned of the monument’s plight earlier in the year he decided to renovate the statue as part of his Eagle Scout Project. In order to advance to Eagle rank, a scout must first complete a project for the betterment of the community. On June 11, Casey presented his plan to the county freeholders and received an overwhelming show of support.
Through private donations and sponsorships from various organizations, including the North Wildwood Elks, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Marine Corps League, Casey was able to raise $5,850 to fund the project. Costs included paving, renovating the monument with gold-leafing, and pizza for the scouts doing the work.
The boys finished placing all of the pavers but were forced to call it a day when an afternoon shower intervened. However, the rain failed to dampen the boys’ determination as they returned the following day to resume their work. Casey plans to finish up the project after school by planting 10 trees around the pavers.
Assistant scout leaders Tom Dwyer, Chuck Webb and Jeff Holloway supervised and chipped in while Jim Wright, a foreman for Ken Southard Landscaping, leant his expertise to the paving portion of the project. The scouts who assisted with the renovation included Kevin Smith, Travis Longstaff, Jack Hanley, Scott Hogan, Jack Kane, Alex Schoedler, Nate Holloway, Andrew Burnell, Billy Mack, Brandon Hadtke, Gus Jurasinski, Andrew Holloway, Bryce Cox and Ryan Mack.
Casey’s proud parents, Tina and Kevin Casey, were also at the cemetery to support their son. Tina was charged with keeping the boys fed—first with a few dozen donuts and later, pizza. “They really are good kids,” said Tina. “I can’t say enough about them.”
Tina added that a future Eagle Scout project would most likely expand on her son’s endeavor with the building of a pavilion at the cemetery. The addition would give visitors a place to sit and reflect on the tremendous sacrifices of this nation’s veterans. Past Troop 79 Eagle Scout projects have included a hiking trail at Richard M. Cameron Wildlife Sanctuary, Cape May County Park North, and new landscaping at the Upper Township Senior Center.
The newly renovated Gold Star Mothers monument is scheduled for delivery this coming week. According to Tina, plans to recognize the project during the upcoming Veterans’ Day ceremony are in the works.
Casey said he was thankful for the number of scouts that turned out to help, and while anxious for its completion, he was pleased with how the project turned out thus far.
Read the June 13 story “Eagle Scout’s Project: Revamp Gold Star Mothers Monument“
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Do you think it's appropriate for BLM to call for "Burning down the city" and "Black Vigilantes" because…
