Groveland Twp.- Spencer Terrell made sure the Ortonville Cemetery sparkled on Memorial Day.
Terrell, a boy scout with the rank of Life, executed his Eagle Scout project as a restoration and beautification of the township’s Veterans of Foreign Wars monument.
‘It was something that needed to be done and we appreciate it,? said Ronald Turnbull, president of the Ortonville Cemetery and Korean War Veteran.
Terrell, a 14-year-old Fenton resident, will be a freshman at Flint Powers Catholic High School in the fall. He has been a scout since first grade Tiger Cubs.
Terrell’s project resurfaced and resealed the monument’s plaques.
‘Between 17 and 20 boy scouts helped me out, and it took a long time,’said Terrell.
The boys also revamped the surrounding landscape by placing 13 stepping stones in front of the monument and planting flowers in the vases.
‘It would have probably cost $6,000 to hire everything done,? said Turnbull.
Even with hours of physical labor, the most time and energy was put into planning. A series of proposals and confirmations stood between Spencer and the execution of his project.
Spencer’s father, Arnie Terrell, supported his son throughout the process. Arnie, an Oakland County Sheriff’s Detective and Brandon Schools liaison officer, understands the amount of work his son put into the project.
‘Eagle Scout projects aren’t all about the physical part,? said Arnie. ‘The planning and research teaches leadership, organization and supervising skills.?
Spencer began proposing his idea in January of this year. He needed to pass the concept through the cemetery association and the boy scout chain of command before he could think about his funding.
Three fundraisers were held, including a bottle drive that raised more than $100.
‘A lot of businesses gave discounts, too,? said Arnie. ‘The community couldn’t have been nicer.?
Spencer received a certificate of appreciation from the Ortonville Veterans of Foreign Wars at the end of the township’s Memorial Day parade, which concluded at the Ortonville Cemetery.
‘I’m just glad that the plaques are there for the community to look at,? Spencer said.