Matthew Hay, a Life Scout in Boy Scout Troop 39 in Mount Joy, invites local veterans, veterans' families, and all members of the community to the dedication ceremony of the Veterans Memorial at Mount Joy Cemetery, which he designed and constructed for his Eagle service project. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 29, at 9 a.m. at the cemetery, 275 Terrace Road. Military members and Scouts are encouraged to wear their uniforms.
Matthew, 15, chose his project because his father and great-grandfather are veterans. His father served in the U.S. Navy Operation Enduring Freedom, and his great-grandfather served in Korea. Matthew said, "I wanted to do something that would honor local veterans for years to come."
Matthew designed the project himself and installed the memorial with the help of his Scout troop. The memorial is located in a circular grass area approximately 57 feet in diameter. It includes a 46-foot walking path, seven flag poles, two benches, and a large granite memorial stone. Displayed on the flag poles are the American flag; the flags of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines; and the POW/MIA flag.
To complete the project, Matthew has raised over $20,000 in monetary donations and donations of equipment and materials. He is still accepting donations toward the memorial to help with future maintenance and upkeep costs.
Matthew is homeschooled and lives with his father, Josh; mother, Ashleigh; and three siblings in Elizabethtown. Matthew has been involved in Boy Scouts since he was 8 years old.
For more information or request special accommodations for anyone planning to attend the ceremony, contact eagleveteransmemorial@yahoo.com or 717-598-7277.
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