WWII Memorial Gets Facelift Thanks To Eagle Scout's Hard Work

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The possibilities were endless, but a local Boy Scout decided to use his Eagle Scout project to honor people he's never even met before.

The boy chose to refurbish a memorial that honors the nation's fallen heroes.

Many took time to remember veterans from World War II thanks to effort of a 17-year-old high school kid who saw the original memorial when he was a tenth grader.

"I wanted to see what it was. I didn't know what it was and then I saw it and I was like, this is in pretty bad condition and I should redo it," Ryan Zemba said.

Through Ryan's hard work, the memorial got a facelift.

"Leaning, cracked, paint wearing off. It was in poor condition," Zemba said.

The old brick structure was rebuilt -- and pouring 13-and-a-half yards on concrete, the new structure was dedicated -- just two days before Veteran's Day.

A couple of World War II veterans helped Ryan cut the ribbon.

"What kept us going were those 144 names on that plaque that gave their blood and treasure," Troop 323 Scoutmaster Alex Schaefer said.

Other vets, including VFW members took part in the ceremony.

Some were worried with the amount of work needed to revitalize the memorial.

"Those of us who were on the committee were concerned about all three because this was such a big project," Schaefer said.

But Ryan knew he'd get it done.

"It felt special to me," he said.

Now, Baldwin and the South Hills once again has a visual reminder of those who have served.

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