Written by Rowonna McNeely – While most were eating dinner in their warm house Friday night, Boy Scout Troop 14 was setting up camp on the grounds of the Central Texas Veterans’ Memorial and preparing to take on their newest service project. This project involved canons, tanks and a lot of paint. Saturday morning, these 15 scouts and five adult leaders bundled up and began painting the canons and tanks that are on display at the Memorial.
“The Boy Scouts are painting all of the military ordinance at the Central Texas Veterans’ Memorial which is a huge help. They have to be maintained correctly which they are doing,” Dr. Steve Locker said while grilling hot dogs to feed the scouts.
“By painting them it helps preserve the relics, if you would, for the future,” Brigadere General Dan Locker explained.
Harold Stieber, ex Scout Master, current president of the Central Texas Veterans’ Memorial Association and Vice Commander of the American Legion Post 106, originally contacted Troop 14 about the project.
“The Lower Colorado River Authority gave our association, the Central Texas Veteran’s Memorial Association a grant; for things like picnic tables, benches, water fountains, landscaping and beautification. Painting the tanks and the artillery pieces is part of the beautification program and that is what Troop 14 is doing. Painting the tanks and artillery as a service project for them and also as a service to Brownwood,” Mr. Stieber explained.
“Harold Stieber actually reached out to us to find out if our boys would like to do the service project. We brought it to the boys, because they make the decisions about the troop and it was unanimous. Everybody’s hands were up; they couldn’t wait,“ Juliet LeMond, Assistant Scoutmaster said.
“Today we got up early and Mr. Stieber took the boys on a tour of the memorial and let them know what everything meant, honoring the heroes from this area that have passed and gave their life for our freedom,” LeMond said.
“Mr. Steiber took them through each of the cannons and each of the tanks and the work that needed to be done. A lot of the boys are learning how to paint today. But they are working real well. Teamwork; Boy Scouts is all about service,” Mrs. LeMond continued on. “This is actually our second out of three weekends of service.”
A troop member was overhead saying, “A life of service is cool!”
The day continued on with a lunch served by Mr. Robert Porter; a Life Scout, Dr. Locker, Brigadier General Locker and Mr. Stieber. While the troop ate Brigadier General Locker and Dr. Kelly spoke to the troop, answering questions and giving them advice as they continue their journey of service.
