The flight from time to eternity

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Kelly
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
CELEBRATION, Fla. --  On November 15, an HC-130 aircrew with the 920th Rescue Wing performed a special flyover during a Veterans Day ceremony in Celebration, Fla. During the ceremony, a memorial was unveiled that honored veterans around the world ... and one local Eagle Scout.

In 2006, Simon Sharp, a resident of Celebration and a member of Boy Scout Troop 125, envisioned a veteran's memorial in Founders' Park for his Eagle Scout project. The 14-year-old set out to raise money for the project, managing to raise over $14,000 selling American flag pins before illness intervened. Simon had been diagnosed with leukemia.

When he realized he would be unable to finish the project, he relied on his fellow scout and friend Bradley Trowbridge to take over. After battling the disease for over a year, Simon died at the age of 15.

More than $80,000 in donations and assets later, the memorial was completed and unveiled one year after Simon's death.

"Simon has done a great thing. We honor him and our veterans today," said Joel Kostuch, Simon's Scoutmaster, addressing the community that had gathered to pay tribute at the new veteran's memorial. Motioning to the Airmen flying above and standing behind him, "We enjoy our liberty because of these heroes. They are true freedom fighters," he said.

"Simon's vision was to honor veterans with this memorial. What he didn't know was that his own story would inspire others," said Simon's dad, Peter Sharp during the ceremony.

Closing his comments, Peter Sharp thanked Bradley, the scout who saw Simon's vision through to completion.

"This dream wouldn't have been realized without the support of the scouts and the community of Celebration," he said.

His voice cracked and he drew a breath, pausing to collect himself before offering a whispered, "thank you" to the community that rallied to support Simon in his final scout project.