Eagle Scout Project to Improve Holden War Memorial

HOLDEN, Mass. — For his Eagle Scout project, Holden resident Jake Miller has been working on making improvements at the War Memorial in the center of town in an effort to help give honor to veterans of all wars.

Currently, the memorial honors only veterans from WWI and WWII, "but since then there have been many major events, such as the Korean War, Vietnam and Desert Storm, and this project is the first step in honoring these veterans," said Miller.

A Boy Scout with Troop 182 in Holden, Miller will soon be finishing up his project, and on Monday the Holden Board of Selectmen approved his plans for the upgrades to the memorial.

"My plan is to put in two flower beds and two benches to the memorial," said Miller. "I'm planning on granite benches, but if I can't find the right type of granite for a reasonable price I'll have to resort to a different material."

For the benches, Miller said he has designed them to be backless, "so that people can look at the memorial and reflect, or if their kids are playing in the field, they can look the other way."

Furthermore, the flower beds will help attract attention to the memorial, Miller explained.

"Jake's an extraordinary young man," said Selectman Anthony Renzoni, commander for Holden's American Legion Post 42. "He was pushed in my direction as the legion commander to help figure out what's going on with this war memorial."

Selectman unanimously supported approving Miller's project, which also has the support of the Legion.

"The veterans in town, we are anxious to see this monument grow," Renzoni added. "It's a great project, and an exciting project."

Miller has coordinated his efforts with Holden's Department of Public Works, has met with the Trustees of the Library and has worked with First Congregational Church.

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