Eagle project raises flagpole
EVANS CITY — Every time Domenik McGill passes the Evans City Public Library, he likely will be reminded of his Eagle Scout project.
The Seneca Valley junior and longtime Boy Scout chose to place a 30-foot flagpole at the library for his Eagle Scout project.
The flagpole was dedicated on Tuesday before about 30 people, including library officials, borough council members, an Evans City-Seven Fields Regional Police Department officer, Boy Scout and Cub Scout members and Domenik’s beaming parents, Kent and Maria McGill.
“I don’t like to be the center of attention, but a lot of people came out,” said the prospective Eagle Scout.
Domenik, 17, of Jackson Township decided on the flagpole for his project because the library already has two smaller poles in its Rotary garden on South Washington Street, but needed a taller pole upon which to fly the Stars and Stripes.
“I thought it would be great for the community and a good addition to the library,” Domenik said.
He explained that he first dug a 4-foot hole that was about three feet in diameter. Sand and gravel were then shoveled into the hole by Domenik and other members of Troop 399.
The next weekend, Domenik installed a PVC pipe that the metal flagpole would fit into before the cement truck filled the hole.
Dubrook Inc. donated the sand, gravel and concrete for the project.
“I really appreciated that,” Domenik said of the donation.
In the last phase of the project, Domenik set the pole into the PVC pipe. On Tuesday, Old Glory was raised for the first time.
“I watched (Domenik) do the work over the last month along with his fellow scouts,” said borough council Vice President Kim Armstrong, “and they did a wonderful job working together as a team.”
In addition to the American flag, the state flag and a military banner were hung on the two smaller poles on Tuesday.
Domenik said he must now be approved by a scoutmaster conference before facing the Moraine Trails Council board, which would give the final approval to raise him to the status of an Eagle Scout.
Domenikl, who plans to study physical therapy and personal training after high school, recommends scouting for all boys.
“Scouts is one of the best things you can do to prepare for adulthood,” he said.
Council President Lee Dyer was out of state and unable to attend the flag dedication, but he also watched Domenik work on the project.
“He is as fine a young man as you would ever want to meet,” Dyer said, “and the flagpole is a wonderful addition to the library and to the borough of Evans City.”
