A positive story about an unusual eagle project in an unlikely place

[eisely]

 

Scouts shine as they clean shrine

 

 

By Carlos Bongioanni, Stars and Stripes

Pacific edition, Friday, February 21, 2003

 

 

 

Carlos Bongioanni / S&S

Daniel Polaski, 13, and Naim Qazi inspect a historic shrine on Kadena. Polaski spearheaded an Eagle Scout project, involving 20 Boy Scouts who put in more than 70 man-hours to beautify the site.

 

 

Carlos Bongioanni / S&S

As part of an Eagle Scout project he planned and supervised, Daniel Polaski, 13, helps clear debris from a bridge and shrine site that had been overgrown with vegetation.

 

 

KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa Tucked away in a thicket of jungle, here, a historic shrine lay virtually inaccessible.

 

Over the holiday weekend, a group of Boy Scouts liberated the shrine and a path and bridge that led to it from an overgrowth of foliage.

 

It was a two-day job that Daniel Polaski, 13, spent more than 40 hours planning for his Eagle Scout project. During the execution of his plan, Polaski said he supervised about 20 Boy Scouts from Troop 102 who helped with the effort.

 

The youth said he surveyed the site in January and determined he wanted to improve its appearance and add some safety railings along a bridge that spans a stream running adjacent to the shrine.

 

He said he discussed it with officials at Kadenas 18th Civil Engineering Group Environmental Flight and got their blessing to proceed with the project.

 

The base provided all the materials for the project at no cost to the scouts, said A. Naim Qazi, flight chief. Qazi explained that the base is responsible for restoring historical sites and so was able to donate the concrete, wooden stakes, pebbles and tools and equipment for the cleanup effort.

 

This is a very good, positive thing theyve done to improve community relations, said Qazi, noting that local Okinawans come to the shrine site as a place of worship to offer prayers. When they come here, theyll know that were taking care of their historical and cultural sites.

 

Army Lt. Col. Dennis Polaski said he was proud of his sons interest in the environment and the cultural relics belonging to the people of another society. The father is president of the local chapter of the Society of American Military Engineers, which regularly adopts cultural sites for restoration and maintenance.

 

The elder Polaski said the Eagle Scout project helped his son develop good character traits and leadership skills.

 

Qazi said the base officially would adopt the site during an annual Earth Week ceremony in April. From that time on, SAME members will take the responsibility of maintaining the site.

 

The younger Polaski said it felt real good seeing the project near completion Saturday. In all, the Boy Scouts who participated contributed about 70 man-hours of work, he said. He now needs one more merit badge to make Eagle Scout.

 

[red feather]

Feel good. feel good, feel good.

 

Thank you yis

[evmori]

Excellent!

[ASM7]

Sounds like a great lesson in culture, history, and respect. A real "Do unto others" unselfish Eagle project. Daniel should be proud.

Just curious, what is the remaining merit badge? I sort of keep mental stats on what MB is last one earned.

Doug

[eisely]

As an aside, did you notice that this was published on line by the Stars & Stripes? Those of you who served in the armed forces outside the US will recognize this. If I am not mistaken, the very first Stars & Stripes was created for the soldiers serving in the Union Army in the civil war. A bit of hsitoric trivia for your next cocktail party.

[acco40]

A friend of mine at work (Eagle, West Point Grad) did a similar project when stationed (his father) at an Army base in the south. A Civil War memorial on base had fallen into disrepair and he managed and participated in clearing vegetation, made minor repairs, did surrounding area clean-up, and the troop keeps perpetual maintenance of the sight now. I'm guessing that that project was done in the early to mid 70's.