Brunswick Eagle Scout project honors veterans, unites community

BRUNSWICK, Ohio - At only 14 years old, Brunswick High School student and member of Boy Scout Troop 518, Jaxon Fronsee, has more than three years to earn his Eagle Scout Award. With his planned Eagle Scout project, to create lasting tributes to local veterans at both Brunswick City Hall and Brunswick High School, Fronsee is well ahead of the curve.

His project includes installing two sets of flags representing each branch of the U.S. military. The flag poles will each include a personalized base, where community members can honor veterans by having their names and other military service information on a plaque corresponding with their service branch flag.

"I got the idea because I have worked with so many veterans – I knew I wanted to honor vets," Fronsee said.

He said he and his fellow Troop 518 Scouts have participated in a number of activities with Brunswick VFW Post 9520, organizations like Toys for Tots, and ceremonies like Wreaths Across America. Fronsee added that his Scoutmaster, Chris Altman, is also a veteran and a member of Post 9520.

"I chose these two locations because they are probably the most visited locations in the city," he said. "[For example] the high school is a voting location."

Fronsee said the project is estimated to cost $2,000, including the purchase and installation of flags, poles, bases, engraved name plates, and protective equipment.

"We are at the starting construction phase," he said. "We just got the flags and the poles and we are working on the logistics of the flag stands. The bigger part of the project is the bases."

Community members can participate by making a $20 donation to honor a veteran, with their choice of display location at either Brunswick City Hall or Brunswick High School, Fronsee said, adding that there is an opportunity to recognize up to 80 veterans from each military branch. Information on the plaques can include the veterans name, rank, and years of service or military conflict.

Fronsee said he has presented his project to a number of organizations in the city, including the VFW Post 9520 and the Brunswick Rotary Club, adding that he has also gotten support from city officials including City Manager Carl DeForest. Fronsee said he hopes to have the project completed by the end of the year.

He also thanked Brunswick Police Chief Robert Safran, Brunswick City Schools (BCS) Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer, Brunswick High School Principal Keith Merrill, BCS Community Relations Director Dawn Allan, and B&B Trophies and Awards for their support.

"A few of the things I have learned from this is how to spread the word, as well as the assembly of the project," he said.

His mother, Chantal, said she feels the project has been a great teaching experience in a number of ways.

"I think it's great that he is taking on a project that is this complex," she said. "He has put so much into it, and he wats to honor all veterans, not only those in Brunswick."

Niedermeyer said the project exemplifies "the values we strive to instill in all our students."

"[Jaxon's] initiative to create these memorial displays shows remarkable empathy for our veterans and a deep sense of civic responsibility," Niedermeyer said. "Projects like this demonstrate how our students can be powerful forces for positive change in our community. Jaxon is truly a shining example of what it means to be a Brunswick Blue Devil."