Eagle Scout project completed at Copperas Cove library

By BRITTANY FHOLER 

Cove Leader-Press 

Located on the lawn of the Copperas Cove Public Library is wooden bridge with two rows of cement paver pathway at each end. 

This bridge and pathway are the end results of the efforts of Bryant Howe, 17, and are part of his journey towards earning his Eagle Scout rank. Howe has been with Troop 258 for the past six years. 

To obtain Eagle Scout, a person must be active in their troop for at least six months as a Life Scout; demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law; earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than required for the Life rank), including merit badges in First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communication, Cooking, Personal Fitness, Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving, Environmental Science or Sustainability, Personal Management, Swimming or Hiking or Cycling, Camping and Family Life; serve in a position of responsibility; and plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. This project must benefit an organization other than the Boy Scouts of America. 

Howe said he was approached by Library Director Kevin Marsh, who proposed the bridge and pathway project. 

“It’s what would be considered a beautification project,” Howe said. “It’s something Mr. Marsh asked me to do some time ago. We got it done, it looks real nice.”

Howe said that Marsh had mentioned that there was a slope with water runoff when it rains. He wanted to offer an alternative pathway for people who don’t take the sidewalk to avoid the runoff. 

It took seven days to build the bridge and lay the stone paths. The planning portion of the project began back in September, though. 

“It feels great that it’s done,” Howe said. 

All materials were purchased by Howe’s grandfather, Alan Trepl, and mother, Peggy Howe, but Home Base Lumber provided a 10 percent discount on the materials. 

Howe’s mother, Peggy Howe, said she was very proud of him. 

“It’s a lot of work,” Peggy said. “There were a lot of volunteers that came out and helped. I’m very thankful and humbled by the turnout and the amount of work that was done is amazing. It really is.”

Peggy said as his parent, she had to take a step back and let Howe do the work. Part of the Eagle Scout is showing the leadership and organizing and getting it done, she said.  

About 34 people helped with the project overall, including with the paperwork. Onsite volunteers included his fellow Scouts as well as members of his church youth group at Grace United Methodist Church. 

There was a group that came out every day last week to help with the finishing touches, Peggy said. 

“It was an amazing effort, and I can never say how grateful I am for their help,” she added. 

Peggy added that Howe’s dad and her late husband would be really proud of him. 

“They embarked on the scouting adventure together, with his brother,” Peggy added.