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Eagle Scout candidate creating Veterans Memorial at Hawfields Church

The Mebane Enterprise - 5/5/2018

Saxapahaw resident Nicky Carter made an appearance before Mebane'sAmerican Legion Post 95 the evening of April 26, describing a special project he's organizing to honor local veterans buried at Hawfields Presbyterian Church.

Carter is an Eagle Scout candidate from Boy Scout Troop 52, which is sponsored by Hawfields Presbyterian. Carter has been in Cub Scouts since his early childhood alongside his brother, making his way through Tiger Scouts and eventually Boy Scouts.

"(My brother) got his Eagle (Scout honors), and now it's my turn," Carter said. "My Eagle Scout project is a little cheaper version of the Veteran's Garden here in Mebane. I got a lot of inspiration for that in deciding what my Eagle Scout project should be. My Eagle Scout project is a Veteran's Garden for the Hawfields Presbyterian Church cemetery."

The Hawfields Presbyterian cemetery is one of the oldest in the state of North Carolina. It has members of the Armed Forces going all the way back to the Revolutionary War.

"There are 168 veterans buried in that cemetery, and I believe that they don't get enough recognition," Carter said. "I believe veterans have a hard time getting recognition, and getting repaid for what they've done for our country."

Carter is planning on having a 25-foot flagpole installed in the cemetery. In the base of the flagpole will be pavers. Pavers are $50.00 for a 4-by-8 paver, and $100.00 for an 8-by-8 paver. Graphics can be engraved for various branches of the Armed Forces for an extra $25.00.

"As my idea for having a way to give back to the community, instead of just getting donations, I'm selling brick pavers that can be engraved with names of family members that are buried in the cemetery. And most importantly, family members that are in the Armed Forces," Carter said.

Moments after Carter's presentation, the members of the American Legion made a motion and unanimously approved to place a brick paver in the Hawfields Presbyterian cemetery in memory of deceased American Legion members buried in that location.

"Personally, our family has a long history of service to our country, with two of Nicky's cousins currently serving as US Marines as well as many other extended family members who currently serve in various areas of the Armed Forces," Carter's father Ron said in a Facebook post. "Nicky is honored to be able to provide this memorial to the brave men and women who are buried at Hawfields, and we are quite proud of this project for him."

As a significant part of this project, Carter must raise the funding to complete the construction of the flagpole area and the surrounding brick pavers. This project is estimated to cost between $1,700 and $2,000. The work will be done by volunteer youth and adults within the scouting community, as well as some of his friends and other church members.

"When my project is complete, I will be having a dedication service," Carter told the American Legion members. "The dedication ceremony will be on the Fourth of July."