Scout Salute and Farewell

[RememberSchiff]

May, 2011:

LEOMINSTER, MA — When considering Eagle Scout project possibilities, Ross Reynolds knew he wanted to do something to make Memorial Day services in Leominster more aesthetically pleasing.

Reynolds, 16, has been a Scout since the third grade and, along with other local Scouts, participates in Memorial Day exercises to honor veterans every May.

“I thought if I could help out, I kind of feel honored to do it,” said Reynolds.

He approached city Veterans Agent Richard Voutour to learn which veterans’ properties needed fixing, and Voutour pointed him to the rear side of the Veterans Center on West Street.

A garden along the wall had become overgrown, and telephone poles laid down to retain it were rotting. What was supposed to be a peaceful reflection point for public use looked “very bad,” according to Reynolds.

Beginning with demolition last October, Reynolds, his father, and fellow members of Troop 477 of Leominster, rebuilt the garden.

It took several hundred dollars, which Reynolds raised, and a number of community donations, but the teen was able to plant a new garden, build a new cement retaining wall, and install lattice work behind it.

The result is a crisp, green, manicured garden of perennials that’s the perfect backdrop to benches overlooking Rockwell Pond....

Reynolds, who had no prior landscaping experience, is proud of the way it turned out and is eager for the public to see it...hopes the site will be a “better place for people to come down and visit,” but the project is also helping him to achieve Eagle Scout status, which is something a minority of Scouts attain.

https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2011/05/25/scout-puts-some-polish-on-leominster-veterans-center/

March, 2022:

                  Captain Ross Reynolds, U.S. Marine Corps photo by Capt. Katrina Herrera/Released

Four Marines were killed when their Osprey aircraft crashed in Norway during a NATO training exercise, Cold Response.

The four Marines, all with Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, were Capt. Matthew J. Tomkiewicz, 27, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Capt. Ross A. Reynolds, 27, of Leominster, Massachusetts, Gunnery Sgt. James W. Speedy, 30, of Cambridge, Ohio, and Cpl. Jacob M. Moore, 24, of Catlettsburg, Kentucky.

Captain Ross Reynolds, 27, of Leominster, MA, served as an MV-22B Osprey pilot. He joined the Marine Corps on May 13, 2017 and earned decorations including the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service  Deployment Ribbon.

https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2022/03/20/4-us-marines-killed-in-osprey-accident-in-norway-identified/

https://www.wcvb.com/article/marines-pilot-capt-ross-reynolds-killed-in-norway-osprey-crash-was-a-native-of-leominster/39485562

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/broken-hearted-family-mourns-mass-marine-killed-in-norway-nato-training-exercise/2674437/

Scout Salute and Farewell.

Edited March 21, 2022 by RememberSchiff

[ALongWalk]

RIP young man. Thank you for your lifetime of service.

[RememberSchiff]

Captain Ross A. Reynolds, USMC 1995-2022

...Ross had an innate desire to serve. He joined Scouts at an early age and through dedication to his community and grit he obtained the status of Eagle Scout in 2011, scouting's highest honor. While at the B.S.A. Camp Wanocksett, Ross was a dedicated staff member for 8 years and an active member of the Order of the Arrow serving in roles on the Gischachsummen team related inductions and ceremonies. He also attended the National Order of the Arrow Conference in 2012. He loved hiking, camping, and boating. Some of his fondest memories were of times spent at the lake at Camp Wanocksett. ...

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/fitchburg/name/cpt-usmc-obituary?id=33970130

[Navybone]

Where do we find such men?  I have no doubt that Boy Scouts plays a role in shaping them. 

[BlueandSilverBear]

I’m a reserve admissions officer for the Air Force Academy. Several years ago I heard from Admissions that the only statistically significant predictor of success as a Cadet was if they were an Eagle Scout… not sure if that is still the case, but we’re building strong citizens. 
 

A toast to Captain Ross.