Boy Scout project a symbol of faith

[fgoodwin]

Boy Scout project a symbol of faith

 

http://www.newstrib.com/display.asp?article=85455C93C316911EA1EBD4681C7DBCA8FA57FBCD5E29D5EB

http://tinyurl.com/yum7lj

 

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

By Brock Cooper

mndotant@theramp.net

 

A local Boy Scout has braved bitter cold and harsh winds to erect an unwavering symbol of faith in a La Salle cemetery.

 

Eric Hallen of La Salle placed a 16-foot-tall cross with a statue of Jesus in St. Hyacinth Cemetery as his service project to become an Eagle Scout.

 

Planning for the project began in late summer after Deacon Charles Burgess mentioned the cemetery had no overt signs of Christianity identifying it as a Catholic cemetery.

 

It was during the planning phase that Hallen found out a 15-by-22 plot that had been saved for a shrine garden in 1964.

 

We are extremely happy, Hallens mother, Sue, said. Eric has worked many, many hours on the project.

 

Hallen, with the help of his brother, Greg, a landscape architecture student at the University of Illinois, designed a 16-foot crucifix that included a Cedar cross, fiberglass statue of Jesus and stone base.

 

Hallen, a member of Oglesby Troop 0715, had hoped to begin construction in February, but cold weather hampered his efforts and he was only able to begin the project about 10 days ago.

 

Ive come out here pretty much every day since then, Hallen said.

 

When he first arrived, the ground was frozen 18 inches and he had to use a power auger to dig a hole for the cross. He then had to dig the hole for the base, but Hallen needed a way to thaw the ground.

 

Initially, we tried melting it with salt and a blow torch, but that didnt work so well, Hallen said.

 

He ended up putting a tent around the work area and used a propane heater to thaw the ground so he could begin the base. Hallen not only faced the elements in his quest to erect the crucifix, but also a time crunch.

 

He needed to have the project completed by his 18th birthday, which is Sunday. Hallen has spent 3-4 hours during the week and more than eight hours on Saturday.

 

In a few more hours, well be done, Hallen said Tuesday afternoon.

[DugNevius]

i dunno, sounds like hes doing a lot of the work himself. That goes against the point of the project. Maybe it just doesnt explain it well.