The rain may have washed away a visit to the All Veterans Memorial in Budd Lake on Wednesday, Nov. 11, but a seat at the site- particularly ones recently refurbished- will always be open to all who visit.
Just in time for Veterans Day this year, one local Boy Scout spent four days restriping and repainting four benches at the AVM for visitors to relax and gather during ceremonial events and any occasions spent there. Daniel Franz, 16, of Budd Lake took the reins on this task for his Eagle Scout Project.
Anyone who has visited the AVM would agree that the memorial site is meticulously designed with care and distinctive creation, from the landscape to the individual monuments. Thanks to Franz and members of Boy Scout Troop 236 in Long Valley, guests can be rest assured that the benches adjacent to this remarkable venue are no longer in disrepair.
“This was an important project because it complemented the AVM which is a beautifully built memorial to those who have served and are serving for the United States Armed Forces,” says Franz, an 11th grader at Mt. Olive High School. “Further, these benches are and will be used during military ceremonies and by anyone in Mt. Olive, so it’s important that they are in the best condition possible.”
As a member of Troop 236 for the past six years, Franz came up with his project:
All Veterans Memorial Picnic Table Refurbishment, around May 2020.
“I thought of the project idea, but finalized the idea with help of family, my scout troop, the AVM, and the MO Township,” he explains.
He began his project on Oct. 10 and completed it on Nov. 5.
“My project was to refurbish four benches and the area around the benches at the All Veterans Memorial located in Turkey Brook Park in Mt. Olive,” says Franz who has lived in Budd Lake for 14 years.
“The project consisted of stripping off the old paint of the benches and repainting the benches,” he says. “Further, the pavers under the benches were lifted, and the area below the pavers was leveled using sand. The pavers were then laid back down. Finally, the pavers were kept in place by 4x4 pieces of lumber.”
There were four benches in total that were repaired.
Reparations included “stripping old paint, priming the benches, repainting the benches, reinforcing sinking pavers, reinforcing pavers with 4x4,” he explains.
Materials used included: Paint, lumber, edging, sand, lag bolts and washers and pavers.
Franz says most of his materials were donated from various sources including Mt. Olive Twp., AVM, Meier Stone and Benjamin Moore Paint.
He is thankful for those donations as well as the tremendous help from his troop members.
“I was helped by about 25 other Boy Scouts and Boy Scout Leaders,” says Franz, adding that it took them around four full days to complete.
Being organized and reaching out to others who have engaged in similar projects helped in his success.
“I found time by planning ahead the project dates and having dates in case we needed to go back to finish the project,” says Franz, a soccer player on the MOHS soccer team and STA Soccer Club. “I knew what I was doing by asking others who had experience with projects such as this one, such as my family, Scout leaders, other adults, and by doing research.”
Looking at the completed project sits well Franz.
“I was very happy with how they [the benches] turned out and I think it shows the hard work and dedication that those who volunteered to help with the project put in,” says Franz.
AVM Founder Charlie Uhrmann is equally pleased with the newly refurbished benches providing comfortable seating to all those who visit the memorial.
“Daniel refurbished the picnic tables so that our visitors, which are typically veterans could have a place to gather and relax with their family,” says Uhrmann. “It was a much-needed endeavor- and Daniel stepped up to the challenge and did an amazing job!
“It is so inspiring to see the patriotism in Mt. Olive’s youth,” she concludes. “Moreover, it is extremely rewarding to be able to provide a place and opportunity to the Boys and Girl Scouts during this very challenging time.”
