26-05-2025
Aspiring Eagle Scout renovates Midstate Veterans Park
(WHTM) — Dozens lined up the streets surrounding Boiling Springs Veterans Park in Cumberland County Sunday for their annual Memorial Day parade.
In the parade there were Veterans, emergency vehicles, and performances by local school marching bands.
'It's just a lot of work and you got to push through,' said Bennett Rudge, a middle school drummer.
Memorial service held at Fort Indiantown Gap
What's a lot of work for Rudge isn't necessarily the school, but his Eagle Scout project.
'Eagle is the highest rank in scouts, and it gives me a patch and it's also the highest honor,' he explained. 'So, after I finish the paperwork, I'll get to go do a special ceremony, Eagle ceremony.'
Rudge told abc27 News he started his project about a year ago.
'Well, first I had to install lights and painted and sand down the gun [statue],' he said. 'And then I made a sign over there that we've installed just like a few days ago.'
He had no shortage of help either.
'Really a community effort of all sorts of different people,' said his dad, Brian Rudge. 'Maybe 10 or 12 scouts, sisters and brothers, cousins, neighbors. He really didn't want to screw things up, you know, as far as, like, some of the little historical markings and things. So, trying to find the right people, even some he one of the days there were some people called in sick and some of the neighbors just rallied together and like, hey, can anyone come help out?'
It's been a busy year for Rudge – and his helpers – balancing this project with school and other activities.
His dad – who was also an Eagle Scout, says he is proud of his son.
Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices
'He's done a great job,' he said. 'Really, with all of his scouting career and all the things he does. But this is a special moment where he could just put some of the skills and energy and excitement that he has into something that can benefit the community.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
