Service project for those who served

A 16-year-old Scout plans a military monument to earn an Eagle rank.

By KIT INGALLS
Published June 18, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Stephen J. Coddington] Jacob Ritter raised thousands of dollars for a granite monument that will be placed at the entrance to City Hall in San Antonio.

Sixteen-year-old Jacob Ritter has been a Boy Scout for six years. He has earned his 21 merit badges and has held leadership positions with Boy Scout Troop 311 in San Antonio.

He needs only to complete a service project to earn his Eagle rank.

Ritter asked City Clerk Barbara Sessa for ideas for the project. One by one, he rejected her ideas -- until she suggested a monument to honor military veterans.

Organizing the resources necessary to construct a town monument would be a time-consuming, difficult task. That was fine with Ritter.

"I wasn't looking for something that I could get done quick," he said. "I wanted to do something that people could say, 'Wow! That's an Eagle project!' "

Ritter, who just completed his sophomore year at Pasco High School, enjoys studying American history. His uncle and great-aunt both served in the military.

"I like the fact that it is honoring the military," he said. "They have done a lot for us. And I thought the monument should be worthy of them."

Ritter brought his idea before the San Antonio City Commission.

"The first time, they really liked the idea, but they wanted more information," he said.

Ritter knew what he wanted to do, but was unsure how to go about it. Help came from an unexpected source.

Retired businessman Richard Gates was in the audience during Ritter's presentation before the City Commission. He approached Ritter and offered to help.

"Dick Gates helped me get my project going," Ritter said. "He really got me on the right path of getting everything done."

Gates taught Ritter how to polish his presentations.

"He's helped me go around to businesses and ask for funds. Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to do that by myself."

Ritter's parents have offered encouragement, but have allowed him to make his own way through the project.

"We don't want to be involved in this," said Cary Ritter, who is Jacob's father and a Scoutmaster. "As an adult leader and as a father, I definitely want to stand back. That Eagle Scout is going to help him with job opportunities and scholarships down the road."

"Jacob is learning all phases of managing a project, especially from Mr. Gates," said his mother, Rozanne Ritter.

Gates introduced the young man to business contacts in San Antonio and Dade City and taught him how to ask for funds and donations. He suggested creating a storyboard to depict both the monument and the fundraising goal.

Jacob Ritter brought his storyboard to his third appearance before the City Commission on May 8. That evening the Commission granted him approval and $3,000 in funds.

Ritter has raised a matching amount in private donations.

Using skills that he hopes will lead to a career in computer graphic design, Ritter designed the marker. The Joseph Constantino Monument Company of Tampa will construct it from a 3-foot by 2-foot slab of black granite.

He found bronze medallions depicting the five branches of the military on the Internet. They will line the top of the monument.

"On the right side, it will have a picture of an eagle," Ritter said. "An inscription on the left side will say, 'Dedicated to the men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedom.' The monument is going to go right in front of City Hall, on the left side of the path where the magnolia tree is."

Lighting will be installed to illuminate it at night.

Ritter is recruiting volunteers to lay brick pavers for a pathway and small plaza. He is planning the dedication ceremony for the Fourth of July.

Fast Facts:

How to help

Donations may be made payable to City of San Antonio Veterans Monument Fund and sent to:

Wachovia Bank, 11938 Curley Road, San Antonio, FL 33576.

Surplus funds will be donated to the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans' Nursing Home.

To help with the project, donations may be made payable to: City of San Antonio Veterans Monument Fund and sent to:

Wachovia Bank, 11938 Curley Road, San Antonio, FL 33576.

Surplus funds will be donated to the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans' Nursing Home.

[Last modified June 17, 2007, 21:20:32]