Percell Jackson of Troop 553 Unveils Outstanding September 11th Memorial Eagle Scout Project
For his Eagle Scout Project, Percell Jackson of Troop 553 planned, designed, and created a 9/11 memorial for the Henrico County Division of Fire. The memorial is located at the Henrico County Division of Fire Training Center off of Woodman Road and recognizes the men and women who lost their lives during 9/11. Due to its location, Henrico County firefighters will encounter the memorial when they participate in training. In addition, the memorial will give new Henrico County Fire recruits motivation during their academy classes, which are held daily at the training center.
The steel for the memorial was obtained from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey by the Freedom Flag Foundation and is from an exterior wall column spanning floors 92 to 95 of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center. Tower 1 was the first to be struck and the last to fall.
Prior to the memorial’s completion, it was already having an impact on the local community. During the process of building the memorial, Percell had multiple firefighters come and thank him for his efforts or explain why this memorial is important to them.
The unveiling of the 9/11 fallen firefighter’s memorial took place at 6 pm on September 7th at Woodman Road Training Facility at 10447 Woodman Road several days prior to the 20th anniversary of September 11th.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the memorial,” said Fire Chief Alec Oughton. “To have such a wonderful monument, including a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, and to have it happen on the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks is very moving.”
Percell Jackson is a senior at Glen Allen High School. When not in school Percell enjoys aviation, Tae Kwon Do, and Boy Scouts along with much more. Percell started scouting while in first grade with the rank of Tiger. Over the past 11 years, he progressed from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and now holds the rank of Life Scout, the rank just before Eagle Scout. Currently, Percell holds the position of Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He is currently working on earning his Private Pilot License and wants to study aviation in college.
Founded in 1996, Boy Scout Troop 553 is sponsored by American Legion Post 175 in Mechanicsville, Virginia. The Troop is an active one that enjoys getting outdoors for camping, hiking, and community service. As part of the Battlefield District of the Heart of Virginia Scout Council, members of Troop 553 uphold the ideals of Scouting as described in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. For more information, contact Scoutmaster Brian Fell at scoutmaster@troop553.us
Eagles Nest