Only about 5% of boys, who enter the scouting program, ever become an Eagle Scout. 15 year-old Sam DeMerritt is just one step away from reaching the prestigious rank. For his Eagle Scout project, DeMerritt is grave to grave, replacing orange stickers that are faded or chipped, with bronzed medallions. They’re shaped like military dog tags, and the graves are those of veterans. They’ll serve as markers for flag presentations on Memorial and Veteran's Day.
"I think we could give our veterans something better, so that's why I came with this. It reads, Veteran: Lest We Forget,” said DeMerritt.
This isn't one small task, there are over 1900 veterans buried at the Plainview City Cemetery. DeMerritt started raising funds for the medallions 8 months ago.
Stan DeMerritt, Sam’s father, is very proud knowing that he wants to do something that's beyond a simple one-day project; something that's going to have a longer lasting impact.
More than $12,000 have been raised and pledged for the medallions. Even though he has the money, Sam is facing one slight hiccup at the Plainview Cemetery.
"The cemetery has come in and said that they have the fear of some people not liking the medallions. That they just want the permission of the person who it’s going to be placed on," said Sam DeMerritt.
Bill McFarland, Manager of Plainview Cemetery, said, "We have a board of directors and he came to me and asked me. I presented it to the board, and the board approved it. The question was brought up; if somebody was to come out here and steal one, who would be held liable? Of course the cemetery would, so the permission forms are kind of saving him, save us."
The Plainview Cemetery has had a few problems with vandals, stealing brass vases and chipping gravestones. The DeMerritt's were discouraged at first with the set back, but now realize the permission forms are in the best interest of the cemetery.
"And as a scout he's learned that it's part of project planning. It doesn't always go the way you wanted to, but you move on and you do the best that you can and make the best of the situation. It's honestly great to see that it happened to him because he sees what real world experiences are like," said Stan DeMerritt.
Hoping that permission forms will flood in; 2,200 medallions will still be ordered for the current grave stones and for future veterans.
Permission forms can be downloaded at: http://bit.ly/fBYXtS
Sam DeMerritt: (806) 296-2400
Plainview Cemetery: 100 Joliet Street, Plainview, TX 79072. (806) 293-4555
