Some of the more well-known Eagle Scouts are 38th President of the U.S. Gerald R. Ford, Apollo 13 Mission Commander James Lovell, Pulitzer Prize winning Author Harrison Salisbury, Former FBI Director William Sessions, and Film Director/Producer Steven Spielberg, just to name a very few.

Soon to join the distinguished list of awardees is Ashe County High School sophomore and Scout Zack Thompson, 15 who is completing the requirements for community service, the final step in his quest for the top rank, by unveiling a veteran’s flag memorial at the Mt. Olive Church Cemetery located at 1710 Watertank Road in Fleetwood.

The task was more than just erecting a flag pole and Thompson, along with fellow scouts from Fleetwood Troop 221 and West Jefferson Troop 214, as well as volunteer leaders, parents and other volunteers, worked a combined 138 hours pressure washing headstones, clearing debris, constructing frames, pouring concrete and setting a 20-foot flag pole.

Thompson also got some help from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.

“I went in to ask them if they would donate a flag and, since I was there, I asked them if they did any type of dedication ceremony and they said yes and they would like to be a part of the dedication as well as providing a flag,” Thompson said.  

Follow-up work on the project included smoothing the concrete, setting the pole and installing a commemorative brass plaque that presents, along with the Pledge of Allegiance and quotes by Presidents Ronald Reagan and Thomas Jefferson, a personal message from Thompson, but not his name. In fact, his name appears nowhere on the project, but rather it only identifies the Scout Troops who worked on the project with him.

“My mom wanted me to put my name on it somewhere,” admitted Thompson. “But this memorial isn’t about me. It’s about the people who have fought and even died to give me the freedom to do a project like this.”

Thompson’s mature and selfless attitude is precisely what is looked for from an Eagle Scout and his dedication is shown in the process he had to undergo to get the project completed.

“The construction part was easiest. What took a little time was the cleaning of the headstones, many of which were almost unreadable. We even found one that was red.

“The paperwork took a little bit of time, and I had to apply to my local Scout leader, church deacons and finally the Old Hickory Scout Council to have the project approved.”

Additionally, Thompson had to get permission from the church to erect the memorial and, more importantly, to install the floodlight on the face of the house of worship to illuminate the flag at night, but in the end all came together and, with the exception of fighting the wet weekend weather at the end of October, Thompson and his volunteers completed the project.

A dedication ceremony has been scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. at the church cemetery.

Scouts, church members and special invited guests will be on hand. Already confirmed are State Senator Steve Goss and Congressman Cullie Tarleton. Confirmation by U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx has yet to be received. The Ashe County High School Brass Section and the Jefferson Veterans of Foreign Wars color guard will also be on hand to participate in the dedication. 

Thompson wished to invite any and all persons in the county who wish to attend the dedication to come out and join them.