An Eagle Scout named Ethan Jolliff built a special memorial.
He made it to honor his former scout leader.
The leader was Charles “Chuck” Clark.
This beautiful memorial is now at White River Christian Church.
It helps everyone remember a great man.
Honoring a Beloved Leader
Chuck Clark was a very important scout leader.
He led Boy Scout Troop 374 for many years.
Clark served as a leader for an amazing 55 years.
He taught many boys in Westfield, Indiana.
Clark passed away in 2020.
He was 76 years old when he died.
He helped shape many young lives.
Ethan Jolliff was one of those boys.
Ethan looked up to Clark a lot.
Clark guided Ethan to become an Eagle Scout.
This is the highest rank in Scouting.
Ethan wanted to thank Clark in a big way.
So, he decided to build a lasting memorial.
This project helped Ethan earn his Eagle Scout rank.
What a wonderful way to give back!
| Leader’s Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Charles “Chuck” Clark | Scoutmaster, Troop 374 |
Building a Place of Peace
Ethan Jolliff is 18 years old.
He recently graduated from Westfield High School.
Now he goes to Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus.
His memorial project started in spring 2023.
He spent time planning everything.
Building the memorial took about two months.
Many people helped Ethan with his big task.
His father, Scott Jolliff, worked with him.
Other troop members and church friends also lent a hand.
The memorial was finished in time for a special dedication.
It was dedicated on October 8, 2023.
The cost for the whole project was around $2,000.
People gave donations to help pay for it.
Fundraisers also gathered money for materials.
What does the memorial look like?
It is a quiet spot for reflection.
Here are some of its special parts:
- Two benches: These are 6 feet long each. You can sit and rest there.
- Stone paver path: The path is 45 feet long. It leads you to the benches.
- Stone planter box: This box holds beautiful plants.
- New landscaping: Fresh plants and bushes make the area pretty.
- Large limestone boulder: This big rock stands tall.
- Bronze plaque: The plaque is on the boulder.
The plaque has these words:
“In memory of Charles F. Clark, 1943-2020, Scoutmaster of Troop 374, 55 years of dedicated service to Boy Scouts of America, Helping boys become men.”
This plaque tells everyone about Clark’s wonderful life.
It reminds us of his dedication to scouting.
A Legacy of Kindness
Ethan shared his feelings about Clark.
“He was a good guy,” Ethan said.
“He was always there to offer advice.”
“Always there to help you out,” Ethan added.
Clark truly made a difference in Ethan’s life.
“He helped shape me into the man I am today,” Ethan shared.
Ethan hopes the memorial helps people.
“I hope it helps remind everyone of the legacy he left behind,” he said.
Clark’s son, Brad Clark, saw the memorial.
“It’s wonderful,” Brad said.
“It really honors his legacy.”
Brad believes his dad would have been surprised.
“He would have been blown away by this,” Brad told reporters.
John D. Pogue is an elder at White River Christian Church.
He thinks the memorial is very important.
“It provides an area for reflection for all the Boy Scouts,” Pogue explained.
Ethan’s dad, Scott Jolliff, also spoke about Clark.
“He was definitely a special person to a lot of boys,” Scott said.
This included Scott himself.
“Chuck made a huge impact on a lot of lives in Troop 374,” he added.
The church is where Clark was a member for a long time.
Troop 374 also meets there regularly.
So, the memorial is in the perfect spot.
This special project shows true Scout spirit.
It shows kindness and remembrance.
It reminds us to honor those who help us grow.
Ethan’s work will keep Clark’s memory alive.
It will inspire future scouts too.
Do you know what it takes to become an Eagle Scout?
You can learn more about the Eagle Scout requirements on the official Scouting website.
It takes a lot of hard work and leadership.
Ethan Jolliff is a great example of this.
His project is a beautiful tribute.
It serves as a lasting thank you to a wonderful leader.
It will be there for many years to come.
People can visit the memorial anytime.
They can sit, think, and remember Clark.
It is a peaceful place in Noblesville, Indiana.
This story reminds us about the power of mentorship.
Good leaders truly make a difference.
