RAVENSWOOD, W.Va. (WCHS) — A Jackson County teen was recognized Sunday for his work to honor Veterans and fallen soldiers.
For 17-year-old Philip Lyons, this Memorial Day has an even deeper meaning.
More than 680 American flags line the graves at Ravenswood Cemetery for the men and women who died during or after serving our country. Those graves were counted, tracked and mapped out as part of Lyons' Eagle Scout project.
Lyons received the Eagle Scout Medal Sunday at his church, First Baptist Church in Ravenswood. He was surrounded by family, friends, Scout Masters and mentors.
"It's meant the world to me," Lyons said. "It's meant more than the world. It's like the universe, kind of."
The Jackson County VFW gave Lyons the assignment to log all the Veteran graves at Ravenswood Cemetery.
"I assigned a scout every five rows at the cemetery per section," Lyons said. "They'd sweep across it. They'd take a little sample, a photo of it. Then we'd come back, actually here to the church, and they wrote down their name, their rank and what wars they fought in."
Lyons chose his mentor and Veteran, John Stephenson, to receive a pin during his ceremony.
"I been through Scouts myself, and I know what an accomplishment it is for Philip," Stephenson said. "It takes so much hard work, and I'm so proud of Philip for what all he's accomplished."
Another mentor and Veteran, Richard Massey was beaming with pride.
"It was a blessing to me to get to see Philip reach his potential," Massey said.
Lyons said he won't forget the lessons he's learned as he takes on the next chapter in his life.
"I will keep the memories, the somber thoughts and the pride for my country which I felt when I looked at the headstones," Lyons said.
Lyons has enlisted in the Army National Guard where he intends to become an electrician.
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