2018 Eagle Scout Project of the Year Winner: Eagle Scout J. Parker with Troop 304

Eagle Scout J. Parker from Troop 304 was selected as the Heart of Virginia Council’s 2018 Eagle Scout Project of the Year (Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award) recipient for his Eagle Scout project, “Wreaths Across Essex.” After six months of planning and more than 460-man hours, Parker saw his desire to honor and remember the fallen veterans of Essex County come to fruition.

The Eagle Project, based off the national program “Wreaths Across America,” involved the construction of over 200 Leyland Cypress sprays, tied with a red ribbon to be laid on the graves of fallen military veterans to remember and honor them. After six months of planning and more than 460 man-hours, 40 volunteers carried out wreath laying ceremonies on three different dates in December at nearby church cemeteries.

The primary ceremony which included a Flag Ceremony, National Anthem, guest speaker, and wreath laying ceremony was held at Essex Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day, December 16th, 2017.

Parker orchestrated the process which included learning and teaching others how to make the sprays, creating the ceremonies, and working with local town officials and law enforcement to ensure adequate safety measures were in place. He organized a Scout lead honor guard to escort the participants to the gravesides and played “TAPS” on his trumpet to honor the fallen veterans.

Parker states, “I became emotional as I watched family members lovingly place the wreath, knowing that their loved one and their service had not been forgotten”.