Eagle Scout replaced headstones, marking graves for veterans in Roscoe Township Cemetery
A year long project honored five veterans, led by Eagle Scout Duncan Kerrigan.
Duncan Kerrigan, earned his rank as an Eagle scout from Troop 620 out of Roscoe, IL by completing a special Eagle project to preserve the legacy of local veterans.
Kerrigan assured that five veterans were honored with new headstones who didn’t have anything marking their graves in Roscoe Township cemetery.
Four of the veterans served in the The Civil War: Thomas C. Billings, Nathaniel P. Palmer, Byron H. Wood, Gustavus H. Wood, the last two were Uncle and nephew.
Joseph W. Lovesee served in the Mexican- American War.
“From the very early planning stages till the dedication, it has taken just over a year to fulfill my Eagle Project, Kerrigan said.
“I chose to do this project as I wanted to do something that deeply interested me, involving both genealogy and family history.
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Kerrigan reflected, “Before I could get the headstones, I had to do Genealogical research on each ofthem to learn about their service as well as their lives.
At the very least you need to know the regiment they served in and birth and death dates. But I went further with the research to know their spouses, children and their lives in order to write detailed biographies on all of them.
I was inspired by videos online of others honoring veterans by getting replacement headstones.”
Kerrigan also gained additional inspiration by the work of 815 Stone Scrubbers as they got headstones for Civil War Veterans at Cedar Bluff Cemetery.
Kerrigan moved ahead and talked to Tracy Terry of the Roscoe Township Historical Society about who needed headstones, then presented his idea to the Troop Board. The next step was gathering records of each veteran's service and their lives.
Kerrigan ordered the headstones from the VA and talked to Lee at Hallen Burial Vaults on how to put the headstones in the ground.
Then he obtained materials from Home Depot for the Concrete bases, and planned the installation of them in the weeks before.
Kerrigan gives thanks and gratitude to everyone who helped him make this project a reality.
“My fellow scouts and adult leaders in my troop helped me. My parents really are the people that guided me to where I am today and I couldn’t be more thankful. As previously mentioned Lee, from Hallen Burial Vaults was also there to help with the installation.
Materials were donated by Hallen Burial Vaults, Home Depot. Lunch items were provided by Culver’s, Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department, Schnucks.
The actual installation of the headstones was on June 6th.
Kerrigan planned for the dedication, which happened on June 20 which involved inviting those who would carry an important role at the event.
Kerrgian started off his ceremony by asking the troops Color Guard to present colors. The Scout Salute was stated followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Scouts shared in the Scout oath and law.
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Kerrigan welcomed everyone to the dedication and opened by saying, “The real reason I chose this project goes deeper than paperwork and concrete. This Eagle Scout project has been my dream for a while. I am glad I had the opportunity to do it. I wanted to do something that will last a lifetime.
Before no one really took the time to learn about these people’s lives but now I hope that these veterans' legacies will never be forgotten.”
After crediting everyone who helped him with the project Kerrigan gave an overview of his project before giving the history of each veteran, including specific places where they served and family lineage.
Mr. Andrew Hare of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War said, “Brothers of the Sons of Union Veterans and friends, we assemble once more to pay our ancestors our tribute of love and respect, within these sacred bonds to pledge anew our dedication to their memory and principals for which they fought.
As we mark our countries 250th Anniversary there have been many great events in our history since the war of the Revolution.
Hare spoke of two great events adding, “ The greatest event occurred April 9, 1865, that is when General Grant met with General Lee.
The question of the indissoluble union of the states passed into history never to be revived. If the soldiers of General Grant’s Army had been instructed how to act at a time that half of our countrymen were humbled, how to act with respect and veneration. They could not have done better than they did, they could not have done better because they acted like American soldiers. There is no soldier in the world like an American Soldier.”
We would like to personally thank Duncan for not only replacing the headstones but for giving life to those names on the headstones, Hare said. ”
Hare concluded with a prayer.
The Roscoe VFW Post 2955 and the Walter Graham Rockton American Legion Post 332 teamed up to be the Color Guard who honored these veterans at the dedication with a 21 gun salute.
A chilling version of Taps rang out.
Kerrigan went through the ranks of scouting. We start with no rank, Kerrigan said.
“As time goes on you can rank up. You start with the early ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot and Second Class. Then you get to First Class, which the founder of Scouting Lord Baden Powell says every young kid should at least get. Lastly you get the more difficult ranks of Star and Life, which prepares you for the rank of Eagle which Kerrigan has now achieved with the completion of this project.
Five veterans will now be honored and gratefully remembered for their service and sacrifices as each legacy lives on.
