Boy Scout Troop 98 of West End has been busy preparing a large group of Scouts for the rank of Eagle and these young men have been very active in the community lately.

Outside of the normal community service that the Scouts are involved in, the requirements of the Eagle Scout also include a Leadership Service Project.

The purpose of this project is for the Scout to demonstrate leadership qualities while providing a benefit to a religious institution, school or community.

The latest project was completed at a cemetery located between West End Elementary School and the Cedar Grove Baptist Church in West End.

With the assistance of his fellow Scouts, leaders and family, Life Scout Danny Rabstejnek constructed a post-and-chain fence with an arbor entrance. The fence was constructed to help resolve some parking issues as well as restore the integrity of the cemetery.

Rabstejnek's project also included a general cleanup, repairing toppled tomb stones, backfilling more than 35 collapsed graves and clearing over 30 feet of heavy brush and woods at the back of the cemetery. Once cleared, other graves were uncovered, including the grave of a one-year-old child.

The project was something Rabstejnek has been thinking about since he was a student at West End Elementary School. Over the years it had become more difficult to determine where the cemetery ended and the parking area began. Without a barrier to protect them, cars would park unintentionally close to graves that were not clearly marked.

With the tireless help of local surveyor Ronny Graham and his staff, the property lines were discovered and the placement of the fence line determined.

Donations of lumber, chain, paint and top soil were given by McDonald Brothers, Seven Lakes Hardware and Don Thomas trucking.

An auger and debris hauling truck were donated by Parsons Construction.

"I wanted to help protect the graves in this cemetery and make it easier for their families to visit them," says Rabstejnek. "I wanted it clearly marked so it gets the respect it deserves."

"Look for more projects to take place as the Boy Scouts of Troop 98 try to give back to the community that has helped support them," says a leader.

"A special thanks to the congregation of West End United Methodist Church for their continuing support," says Rabstejnek.