Youths Pay Respects To War Veterans Memorial

Brady Jernigan (left) leads the Boy Scouts from Troop 425 in an Eagle Scout service project last month to restore and beautify the World War II Memorial at Castle Junction. With him are (from left) William Crabb, Isaac Steele, Zachary Cutter and Conner Tourek, all digging a flower bed for bromeliads, oyster plants and the succulent Sansevierias. Photo by Lawrence Tabudlo, ltabudlo@midweek.com.

When two Boy Scouts from Troop 425 proposed to beautify the World War II Memorial at Castle Junction this spring, they weren’t the first Windward troop to do so.

Their scoutmaster, Adam Gramann, had refurbished the memorial in 2003 along with his twin brother Douglas. As their own Eagle Scout project, they repaired the flagpole and replaced bricks. Last year Scout Patrick Tourek from 425 led a group to the site to pressure-wash and paint the memorial.

Then on March 24 of this year, prospective Eagle Scout Brady Jernigan with help from Tourek and 20 fellow troop 425 members returned to the memorial to install benches, landscaping and a solar light to illuminate the flag at night.

Made of stone and brass, the 4-foot boulder, plaques and flag were erected in 1946 to honor WW II and Korean war veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. Yearly Memorial Day services used to be held here, prior to moving to the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery down the highway.

Located at the Kaneohe Marine base, it makes sense that Troop 425 devotes so much time to the memorial. Most members are active duty, retired military or dependants. All three assistant scout-masters are Marines.

So next time you’re stopped at the traffic light by Castle Junction, be sure to give a silent salute to the scouts, veterans and soldiers who have partnered together to maintain the site as a place of honor for the community.