A Uniontown Eagle Scout is responsible for constructing a ceremonial stone pit for American flag retirement for a recent Eagle Scout project.
When Jerrad Byers was 17, the Uniontown Boy Scout was reading in the newspaper about another Boy Scout troop that held a flag retirement ceremony.
"It was just logical to do it here," Byers said of the area near the kneeling fireman memorial at the corner of Pittsburgh Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue.
Getting permission to use that ground for the purpose was not a problem, because Byers' scout master -- of St. Mary's Troop 620 -- is the chief of the Uniontown Fire Department, Chuck Coldren.
Taking a few days in October, from sunrise and sunset, Byers said that approximately 90 hours went into the project with donated or discounted items provided by different area businesses.
The reason for the rush to build the fire pit was because the Eagle Scout project must be completed by the Boy Scout before his 18th birthday.
"I was actually amazed that I completed it and it looked that good," Byers said, adding that he's been receiving compliments from people driving by.
His scout master agrees; he received a lot of feedback and questions.
"It's all been positive (feedback)," Coldren said. "People didn't know what it was for."
Coldren added that Byers provided leadership with the project; that and the planning and development of the project is what caused him to recently earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
A show of respect
Anyone can use the pit for flag-retirement ceremonies only if he or she gets permission from the fire department 724-438-6900 or the Boy Scout troop.
