A place of refuge, peace and remembrance, that is what Sam Houston High student Billy Kreider has provided the firefighters at the Ward One Fire Station on Joe Miller Road. On Saturday, he, along with his volunteer crew, created a garden space as a memorial for the firefighters on the station's grounds.
"I thought that someone should say 'thank you' from the community," said Billy.
The 14 year old freshmen participates on the swim team, quiz bowl team, Beta Club, the Teen Republican Club and plans to eventually attend Louisiana Tech, studying aeronautic engineering. But it is his membership as a boy scout in Troop 21, sponsored by Moss Bluff Baptist Church, that has brought him in contact with the firefighters.
Billy has been working on his requirements to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank obtainable in the Boys Scouts of America program. To become an Eagle Scout, he was required to earn 21 badges (12 required and the remaining his choice), hold a leadership position for six months, and work on a community project, leading and planning it.
"The main thing is the project," said Billy of the requirements.
And he wanted to do something for remembrance.
"I wanted to do some kind of memorial," he said.
Initially, he thought about doing a soldier memorial but location was a problem. So, he considered one for firemen, feeling that they did not get enough appreciation. Therefore, the garden idea for the Ward One Fire Station was chosen for his project.
Billy was able to obtain donations from local businesses. From Misty Waters Nursery in Gillis, he received the mulch, dirt, fireman statue and plants. Diamond Lumber in Moss Bluff donated the lumber that he, his father, and some of his fellow scouts were able to cut and put together for benches. Home Depot contributed half of the cost of bolts and wood for landscape. And, most importantly, there was the dedication of 39 volunteers who logged in over 206 man hours helping Billy put together the garden on Saturday.
"I am so thankful to everyone who helped me load the trailer in the pouring rain the day before. I was unsure anyone would show up today, but I'm surprised and thankful," said Billy.
But his mother, Dawn Kreider, wasn't surprised. Since the Kreiders moved into the Moss Bluff area 18 months ago from Baltimore, Maryland, they have enjoyed living in the close-knit community.
"We are very overwhelmed by the support we have gotten [since moving here]," she said..
The community project was the last of the requirements Billy needed to fulfill. Now, he will do a write-up and present it for final review. If all goes well, he will participate in the Eagle Scout ceremony on May 16.
Outside of his Eagle Scout requirements, Billy also plans to eventually have a dedication ceremony for the memorial garden and present a plaque to be placed within it.
Moss Bluff, La. —
