Boy Scouts of America Troop 475's Cody Rozhon, 14, planned and organized a community event Jan. 26 on Fort Stewart, marshalling volunteers to help revitalize Warriors Walk prior to an upcoming tree dedication ceremony on Feb. 5.
Warriors Walk is a living memorial of white-flowering Crape Myrtle trees dedicated to fallen Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division and attached units who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rozhon, an eight-year scout originally from Washington State, is the son of a military service member who has moved with the military 13 times. He said scouting has been helpful to him in his transitions. He thought the revitalization of the memorial would make a good Eagle Scout project, which would help scouts give something back to their military community.
"The Scouts teach good citizenship and encourage community support," Rozhon said. Known for teaching survival skills, he said they also teach leadership and foster teamwork.
According to Scouting Magazine, Eagle Scout projects help give the scouts an opportunity to "plan, develop, and give leadership to others."
Rozhon embraced the concept and offered the opportunity to others to help. And in true scouting form, volunteers rose to the occasion.
Joining Rozhon were around 40 community members, including representatives of BSA troops 475 and 500, Cub Scout packs 475 and 500, members of the Diamond Elementary School's Parent Teacher Association and service members from Fort Stewart.
Together the group replaced worn flags, repaired brigade signs, weeded around each tree and removed excessive pine straw and pine cones.
The Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Rebecca Myers, was on-hand to thank Rozhon and the other volunteers for their partnership and efforts in supporting the military community.
"When Cody approach the garrison about the project I thought it was a great opportunity for him and other scouts who wanted to give back to the community," Myers said. She added the project was timely in light of the upcoming tree dedication ceremony for Cpl. Joseph Maciel, Task Force 1-28.
Rozhon's mother, Lori, said she was proud of her son, who was not only a senior patrol leader for the scouts, but an honor student, and someone who always stepped up, when his father was deployed, to help out with the Family.
"He has a great focus," she said. "And a strong desire to go out and make things better. Someone who isn't afraid to ask for help."
His father, Lt. Col. Christopher Rozhon, 406th Army Field Support Brigade, said he was proud of his son, and appreciated scouting as a program.
"It teaches skills and resiliency," Lt. Col. Rozhon said. He added the program was also good for military Families as it helped children meet friends with shared experiences.
For more information about local Scouting, all four groups are searchable on Facebook at Cub Scout Pack 500; Cub Scouts Pack 475 Liberty County; Troop 500 Boy Scouts of America, Hinesville; and BSA Troop 475 Hinesville. Learn about Warriors Walk at
https://home.army.mil/stewart/index.php/my-fort/community/warriors-walk .
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