FORT RUCKER, Ala. (June 19, 2105) -- Selfless service is one of the core Army values, and one Boy Scout took that value to heart as he set out to give back to his community.
Ben Francisco, Boy Scout with Troop 77 out of Enterprise, took on the task of building a hunting blind for wounded warriors June 13 as his Eagle Scout service project to give back to those who served and sacrificed.
"This is a worthy cause, supporting the wounded warriors," said the 14-year old. "Just like they supported us during their time serving their country, I just thought it would be something good to do for them."
The hunting blind, located in Area 40, an area designated primarily for use by wounded warriors, features a wheelchair accessible structure with windows on three sides providing 100 yards of sight down three hunting lanes.
The construction of the blind was no easy task, taking up nearly 170 man-hours, but Francisco wouldn't tackle the project alone as he had help from 34 members of his troop, including fellow Boy Scouts, retirees and his family.
The site for the blind had to be cleared, and the blind itself, which was constructed out of wood and tin, had to be built on site, as well.
"We had to clear out nearly 200 yards to make a trail to get out to the area," he said, adding that even trenches and drainage ditches had to be dug out to allow water to flow out of the area to make it accessible for wounded warriors.
The idea for the hunting blind came with the help of his father, CW4 Kevin Francisco, U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center G3 Aviation accident investigator, who does a lot of work with Fort Rucker's Outdoor Recreation's Wounded Warrior Hunt.
Scouts are also required to raise all the funds for their project themselves, and they were able to do so with a grant provided from ODR, as well as the materials being available for purchase at cost, said Kevin.
"I had been talking with (John Clancy, ODR manager) and he told me that they would like to have a hunting blind built for the wounded warriors, so Ben decided this is what he wanted to do for his Eagle Scout project," he said. "I'm very proud of him. It's a big step making it to Eagle Scout, especially at such a young age."
According to Francisco, about 2-3 percent of Boy Scouts attain the Eagle Scout rank, which must be attained before the Scout's 18th birthday, but Ben was determined to achieve his rank and earn his spot through his service project.
"I've been in the Scouts since I was a Cub Scout at age 6, and once I started, I just really enjoyed it and stuck with it," he said. "The Scouts taught me a lot about leadership and helps prepare you for life by providing you with the skills you didn't know you would need in life."
Ben is not only active in his Boy Scout troop, but also stays busy with school, maintaining the honor roll, as well as participating on his high school football and golf teams.
"For him to go for his Eagle rank at 14 shows a lot of hard work and dedication," said his father. "The leadership that Ben had to demonstrate and the change he's made in the last three years in the Boy Scouts is amazing -- he's matured a lot and I'm so proud of him."
The hunting blind is for wounded warrior use only. For more information on the blind, call 255-4305.
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