Eagle Scout project honors firefighters past, present

DURHAM — Christopher “CJ” Sokol of Boy Scout Troop 27 has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievable rank for members of the Boy Scouts of America.

Sokol, involved in the scouting program since the first grade, has earned 33 merit badges, according to his mother, Troop 27 committee member Deborah J. Sokol. For his project, Christopher Sokol, also the son of Jason Sokol of Durham, erected a monument on the site of the Durham Volunteer Firehouse to honor all firefighters and chiefs under whom they served. “The monument and the accompanying benches, meant for reflection, are cast from solid black granite and engraved,” his mother said in a news release.

Eagle Scout requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges and demonstrating scout spirit through the Boy Scout Oath and Law, service and leadership — all before or by age 18. This culminates with an extensive service project that the scout plans, organizes, leads and manages, according to BSA.

Eagle Scouts are presented with a medal and a badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the scout. There are more than 38 million scouts worldwide and fewer than 4 percent achieve the eagle rank.

The inscription reads: “This monument is erected in honor of all of the Durham volunteer firefighters, who, over the years, have devoted countless hours protecting the community, and ensuring the safety of its residents under the dedicated leadership of the following fire chiefs.” It goes on to list all past chiefs dating back to 1931, when the Durham Volunteer Fire Company was founded.

The monument sits upon a walkway of pavers and is surrounded by mini boxwood, black mulch and red tulips, which bloom in the spring. The project cost $10,000, all of which Christopher Sokol was required to raise on his own. With the help of the community, family and friends, he completed fundraising, planning and implementation of his project in just under a year, this mother said.

This Xavier High School senior decided on this project because he wanted to leave his mark on the town of Durham. “I wanted to leave a legacy, something that someday I will be able to bring my children to see. Something that would stand the test of time and honor past, present and future members of our community,” he said in the release.

For information, visit scouting.org.

Deborah Sokol photo Eagle Scout Christopher Solok’s project, which took under a year to complete, is a monument with the inscription: “This monument is erected in honor of all of the Durham volunteer firefighters, who, over the years, have devoted countless hours protecting the community, and ensuring the safety of its residents under the dedicated leadership of the following fire chiefs.”

Jennifer Schulten photo Christopher “CJ” Sokol of Boy Scout Troop 27 has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.