Family Tradition

Hall’s project earns him Eagle Scout award

COLERIDGE — Aric Hall of Coleridge Boy Scout Troop 208 has recently received his Eagle Scout ranking by the Mid America Council of Boy Scouts of America.

Hall’s project of reviving the War Memorial in Coleridge’s newly renovated City Park shows the dedication Coleridge has for its fallen veterans.

Coleridge was awarded The Most Patriotic Town in America during World War I. Ten percent of the population went off to fight the war, making it the largest town per capita to be serving.

Hall’s project consisted of removing the overgrown landscaping around the WWI memorial and replacing the weed barrier and mulch. Hall, along with his fellow troop members, repaired and repainted the landscape timbers around the memorial. A sign was installed marking Hall’s accomplishments for future generations to see.

When asked why Hall chose the memorial to be his focus for his project, he replied with, “I want these areas around town to be noticed and stand out. People need to know the history of these communities and how they shaped the America we live in today.”

Serving their community is one of the special traits of the members of Boy Scouts. Over the years, members of the troop have collected food for their food pantries, painted fire hydrants and park equipment, fixed and painted parking locations, repaired recess parks, weight room, and track facilities for the school district, built softball field enclosures, cleaned and repaired cemetery signs and meeting areas, and shared their talents by repainting and showing their school pride at the football field’s grandstand.

Among the past members receiving Eagle Scout rank are Nolan Ohlrich, Austin Hall, Grant Erwin, Kolby Casey, Shane Benson, Jackson Hall, Kayton Hall and Caleb Erwin. All these members have a family tradition of Eagle Scout recipients. Starting with their fathers being recipient also.

Earning an Eagle Scout award is a prestigious honor.

Eagle Scout status often gives individuals a leg up on college applications, job interviews, and military rankings.

Members must find the project on their own, cooperating with the property owners, and devise a plan of how the project will be implemented and how the property will benefit from these improvements.

These projects also have to be accepted by the committees that tend to these areas.

Members often have to attend board meetings, in which they learn how their projects will be implemented in these areas.

Applications have to be sent to the council and state level of the Boy Scouts to be accepted and approved before the actual dirty work begins.

Last, accomplishing these projects and receiving this ranking, gives the scouts and their communities a sense of pride.