The Commander Wayne Saylor of VFW Post #9660 at Chimney Rock had a wish – a fire pit! Aiden May, a scout from Troop 124, was there on a workday helping this summer when he heard this request. Upon planning and drawing up a plan, he and his mom approached Wayne, who smiled and said go for it. Aiden and his family started making contacts to get materials.
In August, railroad ties were delivered, along with 2 scouts and 3 adults to cut down the grass, a sprayer to kill the grass left within the fire pit area, and the 2 scouts created an oval fire ring from donated stones that the VFW had on site.
In September, a VFW member who owns a company, Adams Construction in New Market, donated the gravel. Aiden’s grandpa Steve hauled the gravel and with 2 other adults unloaded and got the pit area covered. Troop 124 scouts did a campout on site after a Rock-Climbing Event to test out the pit and fire ring. It was awesome. We also contacted a friend at Lowe’s in Harrisonburg to see if we could get lumber donated for making benches.
In October, Aiden approached his Boy Scouts from Troop 124 and his Webelo Den Cub Scouts from Pack 1, where he is a Den Chief, to help build benches for the fire pit area. He also got a green light for the lumber, as well.
On October 19th, Aiden had 3 boy scouts, 6 cub scouts, 1 girl scout (a sibling) and 11 adults who all came to help build benches. Even Commander Wayne joined us in the task as the “saw master.” Goal was to make 12 one-seater benches, one for each scout law . . . they made 14 and sanded them as well. This was a team effort on all levels.
We want to thank all these folks for assisting Aiden in completing this task and Wayne’s wish. All materials and labor were donated.
- Lowe’s in Harrisonburg for the lumber
- Adams Construction in New Market for the gravel
- Stones for fire ring from a VFW member
- May Farm for the railroad ties and screws
- Wayne Saylor for the sawing of bench pieces
- Dads and Grandpas from Troop 124 and Pack 1 who helped out
- Boy Scouts from Troop 124, Cub Scouts from Pack 1 and a Girl Scout.
The plan is to present the Fire Pit Area to the Members of the VFW in November during an evening fire ceremony
