For Eagle Scout candidate Alec Bower of Boy Scout Troop 901 in Robinson, service to his community meant preserving the memories of those who came before him.
Bower recently completed his Eagle Scout service project at Riverside Cemetery in Newton, where he led a team of family and friends in carefully cleaning and restoring gravestones. His goal was not simply to improve the appearance of the cemetery, but to honor those whose final resting places may no longer receive regular care.
“I chose gravestone restoration for my Eagle project because I felt it was very much needed in the community and it would bring honor to those who don’t have loved ones to care for their stones,” Bower said.
He explained that maintaining gravestones can be challenging, even for families who visit regularly, making the project one that could have a lasting impact on the cemetery and those who visit it.
“I feel like the community needed this project because it’s difficult to keep the stones clean even if you visit them very often,” he said.
Bower selected Riverside Cemetery because of its personal connection to the community.
“I chose the cemetery I did because it is my local cemetery and I get to see it often and feel pride in the work I’ve accomplished,” he said.
The project involved much more than soap, water and scrubbing. Before work began, Bower researched proper gravestone preservation techniques to ensure the cleaning process would not damage the historic monuments.
“I don’t want people to think that this was, ‘Oh, we got some soap and scrubbed stuff down,'” he said. “We had to research what materials we could use so we wouldn’t damage anything.”
Organizing the project also presented its own challenges, as coordinating volunteers proved to be one of the most difficult aspects.
“It was very much a struggle to organize a time that worked for everybody so everybody could show,” Bower said.
While working in the cemetery, Bower and his team came across a memorial that left a lasting impression.
“In our work I found this grave that had a plaque saying what this man had been through,” he said. “He had been through World War II, Korea and Vietnam.”
The discovery served as a reminder of the sacrifices represented throughout the cemetery and reinforced the purpose behind the project.
Although Bower initially set a goal for the number of gravestones his team hoped to restore, the volunteers far exceeded expectations. With the help of a dedicated group of friends and family members, the team completed more than twice the amount of work originally anticipated. Bower said seeing everyone come together to accomplish so much was the most rewarding part of the project, and he credits his volunteers for making its success possible.
Through leadership, careful planning and a commitment to preserving local history, Bower’s Eagle Scout project has helped ensure that the memories of those laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery continue to be honored for years to come.
