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Lee teens honor vets

• A group of young men mobilize their efforts and honor veterans.

Barbara Rivera Holmes

LEESBURG — It took about six months of work and thousands of dollars, but the black granite monument that Jeremy Kluball and his Boy Scout Troop 210 peers unveiled Monday was born of a single inspiration: To honor veterans of the Iraq conflicts.

The shiny monument at Leesburg Park, which reads “for the brave that served,” means a lot to Princeton White, who fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“For this generation, I think that it’s awesome that they have recognized (the fallen) ... for a war that’s still going on,” said 44-year-old White of Leesburg, who in 2004 retired from the United States Marine Corps after 23 years of service. “It’s just wonderful.”

Organizers Monday said the monument is one of the few in the nation that specifically recognizes those who fought and died in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

For 17-year-old Jeremy, the idea for a monument came after he befriended a veteran of Desert Storm who had suffered brain injury, said Jeremy’s father and troop co- leader, Jeff Kluball.

“A veteran friend died,” said Jeremy, an incoming senior at Lee County High School. “It’s more for the families.”

Jeremy, on track to become an Eagle Scout, made the memorial a project for his troop, who raised $3,000 for the monument, which cost $2,000. The remaining funds will be used to purchase a black- granite bench for the site, Jeremy said.

“As an Eagle Scout,” said his father, “part of the responsibility is to mobilize your group.”

For Pat Walsh, commander of American Legion Post 182 in Leesburg, the effort and thought put forth by Jeremy and Boy Scout Troop 210 means almost more than he could say.

“There are many things that they (the troop) could have done, but they chose to honor veterans,” said Walsh, who became emotional as he tried to convey his gratitude.

“Troop 210: Thank you, and I salute you.”

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