Eagle Scout candidate helps memorialize fallen troopers
BUTLER TWP — Memorializing the 104 Pennsylvania State Police troopers who died in the line of duty by placing a flag for each of them in the shape of a keystone on the front lawn of the Butler barracks dates to the 1950s.
That tradition was given a concrete foundation Saturday, Oct. 4, by an Eagle Scout candidate.
Jackson Juggling, a junior at Butler Senior High School, organized and planned the pouring of more than 5 yards of concrete dyed “state police gray” into the shape of a keystone, which is part of the logos of the state police and the state, for his Eagle Scout project.
The memorial flags have been part of the Juggling family’s life for about 30 years.
Jackson said Cpl. Gordon “Matt” Dillon, who died in 2014, began putting up the flags sometime after his friend and best man at his wedding, Pvt. Floyd B. Clouse, was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 2, 1953. Dillon, who got married nine days before Clouse was killed, purchased the flags.
Fast-forward to the mid-1990s when Jackson’s grandfather, retired state police Lt. David Juggling, inquired about the flags when he transferred back to the barracks.
After learning about the significance of the flags and that Dillon was paying for them, Lt. Juggling and the late Lt. Robert Martin spearheaded the project to install lights to illuminate the flags, Jackson said.
The Butler County commissioners then began buying the flags for the memorial and continue to do so today.
“The county commissioners passed a resolution to provide flags every year,” Lt. Juggling said.
Over the last several years, Jackson, his sister and their father, Sgt. David Juggling, have been placing the flags. The flags are in place from May 2, the Pennsylvania State Police Memorial Day, through Veterans Day. Jackson said he thought of the concrete keystone while putting up the flags in the spring.
“It would be easier if there was a concrete shape,” said Jackson, a member of Troop 53.
Planning for the project included getting permission from state police headquarters in Harrisburg and the barracks commander, he said.
The trench for the keystone was dug Sept. 26 and forms for the concrete were set up Sept. 27 with the help of other Scouts, including Eagle Scout Joey Daniher, owner of JMD Enterprises, who provided equipment and guidance and donated the dye.
“I’m very pleased with it. It looks great,” Jackson said. “It will be here for years for people to see. it will have a lasting impact.”
The forms will be removed after the concrete dries and then the excavated dirt will be returned and replanted with grass. Then the flags will be placed around the perimeter of the keystone.
Jackson said after he finishes work for some merit badges, he will present the project and review his planning for the Eagle Board of Review, which will determine if he will receive scouting’s highest honor.
David, his father, said Jackson didn’t solicit donations, but many people and businesses heard about the project and donated money and materials. DuBrook, of Butler, donated and delivered the concrete, he said.
“We’re completely floored by the number of people who contributed,” David said.
With money leftover due to the many contributions, Jackson said he plans to install a plaque that explains the flags and the keystone even though that is not part of the Eagle Scout project.
