photo by Jessica St. James

Members of South Point Boy Scout Troop 115 broke ground recently for the memorial T. J. Beavers and Tyler Payne have created to honor those in South Point who have served in the armed forces throughout the years.

Vets memorial dedication slated for Sunday

By Benita Heath | The Tribune

Published Thursday, November 5, 2009

SOUTH POINT — It was the desire of two young men to honor those who have sacrificed to give us our freedoms.

That was the inspiration behind the Eagle Scout project of South Point High students, T.J. Beavers and Tyler Payne

Back in the fall, Beavers, Payne and his friends from Troop 115 of South Point gathered at the park by the South Point boat ramp to break ground for a special monument.

Now all the hard work by those young men will be observed at the dedication Sunday afternoon of their memorial to local veterans.

Since May Beavers has worked on organizing and raising money for the monument that honors the five branches of the military.

He had seen a similar one in Charlotte, N.C., and wanted to bring the same idea back to South Point.

The monument is a 10-foot black granite obelisk with the American flag and a bald eagle laser-etched at the top with the five symbols of the armed services beneath.

At the base is an inscription dedicated the monument to the men and women of South Point who have served their country.

Payne’s project was erecting two flagpoles with the American and Ohio flags flying on either side of the obelisk as a complement to his fellow scout’s memorial.

As Beavers looks toward the upcoming dedication, he says he is happy with the end results.

“And I think everyone else who has worked on it will be proud of what they have achieved,” he said. “To me it was not only a humongous project, but a great way to give back to the community and get involved.”

The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at the boat ramp at the village park off Ferry Street and Second Street West. On tap will be a speech by Rick Loudin, scout executive of the Tri-State Area Council.

Also scheduled to speak is Carl Sullivan, skipper of the Sea Scout’s Ship 733, Troop 115 Scoutmaster, David Hughes, Beavers and Payne.

The South Point High School band will play the national anthem and two from the band will later play Taps.

The boat ramp doesn’t have seating so those attending should bring folding chairs. The event is free and open to the public.

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