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About six years ago, when Kade Richardson’s spectacular dad died less than two years after his wonderful grandpa died, his grandmother and mother set about ordering headstones. Grandpa had wanted benches in the Benjamin cemetery so family and friends (especially the elderly) had something to rest on as they paid their respects and visited. Mark Richardson had previously told his father that one of their sons would cement benches in the cemetery as an Eagle Scout Project.
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Mark had devoted his life to service and accomplished more serving of others in 44 years than most do in 88 years. He wanted his sons to know the value of work as well. He owned a landscaping company and was in a position to be able to be there when friends, neighbors and relatives needed the help of his equipment, strong physical body, knowledge and willingness to work. He had fully intended to be there to assist his sons in the project.
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Due to his untimely, sudden death, Richardson’s sons were left on their own to finish merit badges and start the Eagle Project. Managing alone, Lynn found it very difficult to stay consistent with the effort. Their son Kade, age 11 at his father’s death and now 17, chose to honor those wishes. He placed a temporary bench on top of the hill until he could present the project, paperwork, and “how to” to the Scout program.
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He almost gave up several times, but with the help of a few leaders in his Troop 1510 and ward members who helped with the computer work etc., along with his mom’s encouragement, the project “wish” became reality.
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Mom had been praying the last two years for an angel to come into their life to help (like her husband had helped so many other boys finish their Eagle Scout Projects). She thanks the Poulsons for becoming the caring angels who finally got the ball rolling this past summer with the incentive and confidence to finish.
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On Sept. 8, volunteers cemented benches, planted trees for shade, weeded, washed headstones, weed whipped, leveled ground, cleaned restrooms and spruced up the Benjamin City Cemetery like new as part of Kade’s project.
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Inscribed on Kade’s dad’s headstone is, “What a man becomes, depends upon how many he helped along the way.” Reference – Matt. 25:34-40.
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When freedom does not have a purpose, when it does not wish to know anything about the rule of law engraved in the hearts of men and women, when it does not listen to the voice of conscience, it turns against humanity and society. – Pope John Paul II
