Veterans Park To Be Refurbished As A Part Of Two Eagle Scout Projects

By Marija Ilic

Two young Harrison County residents (one with strong Barbour County ties) are embarking on a final chapter of their Boys Scouts career, and have chosen Barbour County as a site for their Eagle Scout projects.

If you come down to the Veterans Park in Philippi next Saturday, you will encounter two groups of Boys Scouts working under leadership of Cole Parsons and Ben Gerhart – on two different projects in the same area.

The idea of refurbishing Veterans Park came from Parsons, whose grandfather, Charles Malcolm, is a member of American Legion Post 44. The Eagle Scout badge is the highest achievement in the Boys Scout’s career, and it has to go through rigorous approval process. The project in itself has to show planning stage, presentation, execution, leadership, and it has to benefit someone else. Cole chose Veterans Park, where he will be working on putting the roof and repainting the gazebo. The idea is to match the aesthetic of the Museum, so both sides of the Covered Bridge can look the same.

However, there was more to be done in the park, and Cole’s Boys Scout Troop 40 friend, Ben, who was also looking for project, took on the second area of the park, where they will be repainting the benches, installing picnic tables, and fitting them up with trex boards for longevity. Both young men will be joined by the members of their troop in their mission to beautify downtown Philippi.

Parsons said that the project was “culmination of years – better part of my life – of work we have done, and finally achieving the rank of an Eagle Scout.” Gerhart added, “It felt like trail in the woods, and I loved every second of it.”

As for their Boys’ Scout 10 year involvement, Parsons said he always enjoyed doing flag retirement ceremony, while Gerhart said that being involved with the kids during the day camps was his favorite activity. They both plan on attending college in the future, but are still undecided on what career they would like to pursue.

Their project was made possible by several people in Barbour County, including American Legion Post 44 that made generous donation towards the supplies, Ron Philipps from the Builders Center, and Deb Dadisman, who has aided with planning.

So if you get a chance this Saturday, November 9, stop by the Veterans Park and check out the work these young men are doing!