The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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  • C.L. Garvin

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May 24, 2008

Eagle Scout project yields new veterans monument

By Andrea Meador

Going to lunch at Raleigh County Memorial Airport one day, Woodrow Wilson High School senior William Turner found inspiration for his Eagle Scout service project. Noticing a small bronze plaque and hearing a story from the airport manager, he wanted to honor the veterans with an actual monument.

“I go out to lunch at the airport and the manager had told dad the story about the circle which had dirt from every foreign soil that our veterans have fought on,” he said. “I liked the idea of making a veterans of all wars monument there.”

With this motivation, he proceeded to contact airport manager Tom Cochran about his idea. From there, Cochran had to get approval of the site and design from the airport authority.

Once permission was granted, Turner started his nine-month project.

“It ended up taking 267.5 hours for the total project,” he said. “Planning took up most of the time, but there was also a lot of work involved.”

According to Cochran, the project was quite the undertaking. Yet, one thing he said he admired was Turner’s determination and carrying it through.

“He was here for each step of the operation and then he also came back after the stones were set and did the landscaping,” Cochran said. “It certainly is to me quite an inspirational feeling to see a young person who had the foresight and the interest to pursue this project.”

Funding and finding the materials was the first step. Turner ended up finding the granite stones from Egnor Memorial and got his project partially funded by the Carter Foundation.

He then had to set up the two five-foot granite monuments and a new flag pole. The bronze monument, which was there before, was incorporated at the base. Turner said he was helped out by 15 other people, including other scouts, parents and airport workers.

“Another thing I had to consider was what I wanted to write on the monument,” he said. “I had actually penned the words myself.”

Completion came in early January, and recognition for achieving Eagle Scout came later in April. Being in scouts since first grade, it was a long trail to become an Eagle Scout. Along with the service project, he also had to obtain 21 merit badges and complete other requirements in the scout handbook.

“It takes some time and there are many requirements,” he said. “It is the highest honor.”

Now, Turner said, when he goes to lunch at the airport, he can remember what he did to build the monument and also remember what the veterans of all wars did and will do for the country.

“Every time I go to lunch, I think it makes the place memorable and makes me proud.” he said. “I’m going to continue with Boy Scouts and try to keep as active as I can.”

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