Fort Rucker Boy Scout helps Aviation museum with new display

By Russell Sellers, Army Flier StaffSeptember 9, 2010

Fort Rucker Boy Scout helps Aviation museum with new display
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Austin Parsons, member of Boy Scout Troop 50, places a solar light on a wooden post as part of his Eagle Scout project at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum Sept. 4. Parsons, with help from other members from Troop 50, constructed a new platform for a sta... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Rucker Boy Scout helps Aviation museum with new display
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Rucker Boy Scout helps Aviation museum with new display
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members of Boy Scout Troop 50 help out with Eagle Scout Austin Parsons' project to add a static display of an AH-56 Cheyenne to the U.S. Army Aviation Museum grounds Sept. 4. The Scouts also helped in constructing signs and solar light posts for the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- A new, old model helicopter will soon make an appearance at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum thanks to a Troop 50 Eagle Scout.

Austin Parson, with help from his fellow Troop 50 Scouts, constructed a concrete platform behind the museum Sept. 4 for an AH-56 Cheyenne to be placed.

Parsons, son of retired Army Sgt. Maj. Rick Parsons, said he wanted to give something back to Fort Rucker that would be meaningful and help it reconnect with part of its past.

"It seems like everyone who does an Eagle Scout project always works on an animal shelter or fixes up a washed out walking trail, so I wanted to do something people would see every day," Parsons said. "This is part of the historical aspect of Fort Rucker. This has been my home for a while now and I wanted to give something that would keep telling the story of Fort Rucker."

While the project was Parson's idea, he said it would have been impossible to make it happen without some help.

"I wouldn't have gotten anywhere if it weren't for the other Scouts in my troop," he said. "Originally, we thought the project would take all weekend, but everyone I asked to help out came and it put us on pace to possibly finish it in much less time. Our troop is like a Family. We help each other out whenever it's needed."

In addition to erecting a new static display, Parsons said he also wanted to spruce up some of the older displays with new signs and solar powered lights so they can be seen better at night. The Scouts created six-inch-thick wheel platforms for the helicopter to rest on.

Troop 50 Scout leader 1st Sgt. Michael McGee, Noncommissioned Officer Academy deputy commandant, said he was happy to help out with the historically themed endeavor.

"This is a great project and the best part is, it'll be here forever," McGee said. "We're putting down a lot of concrete, thanks to a generous donation from the (Department of Public Works)."

Rick said he was proud of his son for giving something back to the post and showing his appreciation for the place he's called home for the past few years.

"I'm really happy he decided to give something back to Army Aviation," he said. "He's really trying to make a better community."