TURNER — Alexander Chavez, whose great-grandfather served in the infantry in World War II, is helping to honor his memory and all veterans through his Eagle Scout project.

The 14-year-old is selling bricks with the names of local veterans to create a courtyard around the town veterans monument on South Main Street. So far, he has sold a dozen and hopes reach his goal of 100 by mid-August. The $100 donation for each brick includes engraving of the veteran’s name, rank and branch of service.

Once he reaches the goal, the plan is to install the bricks and a new flag pole and new landscaping. When complete, there will be a public unveiling ceremony.

The lifelong Turner resident joined Cub Scouts in 2020 and crossed over to Boy Scouts in 2021 with Troop 187. His project was born from his participation in ceremonies recognizing veterans for many years of his life and a suggestion his father had at one of those ceremonies, he said.

“The overall purpose of the bricks will be to recognize and honor those from within our community that served in the military, regardless of when, where, or how,” he said.

Why is community service so important?

Community service is important because it’s good to help others and give back to your community. Community service is also important because you’re a role model for others to do better things. It’s nice to show others that people still care.

What have you learned through your public service efforts?

I’ve learned that helping others can be fun and rewarding, even though it’s hard work sometimes. It’s nice to see people get happy when we help them with our projects.

How did you come up with this project idea?

Our Scout troop assembles twice a year at the monument and I noticed that one of the veterans had a hard time sitting on the park bench because the shrubs were overgrown. My dad is the former commander of Turner Sons of the American Legion and also an Eagle Scout. He came up with the idea to create an improved memorial area to recognize our local veterans. My family and I then came up with the concept of a veterans recognition park.

The extra funds from your Eagle Scout project will go toward buying bricks for service members whose family cannot afford them or to those who have no family to do so. Why do you feel it is important to ensure they get recognized?

It’s important to recognize the sacrifice that all veterans made for our country — not just those that paid the ultimate price. I learned that freedom isn’t free. Some veterans never made it home. Some made it home and were changed forever. Many have returned from war and were never thanked. The Veterans Memorial Park will help us to honor those who served our community and country.

Looking to the future, how has this experience with Boy Scouts shaped your future ambitions and you as a person?

Scouts has helped make me a better person and has already made me well-rounded. I’ve learned first-aid, survival skills in the wilderness, lifesaving, search and rescue and many other skills that I can use to help people. I still don’t know what I want to do for a career yet, but Scouts will help get me ready for whatever comes my way.

To contact Alexander about his project, send an email to [email protected]. Bricks must be ordered by Aug. 15.