Timothy Bess, 17, a senior at Harry S. Truman High School and member of Boy Scout Troop 121 of Levittown, has spent the last six months raising $7,770 for his Eagle Scout service project.
The funds were used to replace the old flagpole with a new, 35-foot flagpole at the American Legion Jesse Soby Post 148 in Langhorne. The new flagpole was installed on October 7, and a plaque will be unveiled on Veterans Day, November 11, at 10 a.m., during a dedication ceremony. The plaque honors the memory of Past Commander Joseph A. Zalot Sr., who served 1932-1934, in addition to Bess’s name.
After learning that the American Legion Post 148 was in need of a new flag pole, Bess decided to take it on as his Eagle Scout service project. The project was also personal to him because his dad and grandfather both served in the U.S. Army.
To raise the funds, Bess and his fellow scouts in Troop 121 held multiple car washes. Bess’s mom also set up a GoFundMe, and Bess received donations from the American Legion Post 148 as well as the Levittown VFW John Billington Post 6495. In addition to his mom and fellow scouts, Bess is grateful to Don Minnick, Post 148 Scouting Representative, for helping him many times during the project.
Throughout the process Bess learned, “It’s not always easy to be a leader. It made me step out of my comfort zone and was a challenge to get the help I needed.”
Bess has been active in scouting since kindergarten. Now that his service project is completed, he’s looking forward to earning his Eagle Scout, the highest ranking attainable in Boy Scouts of America.
“When I am awarded my Eagle Scout, I will feel like I have accomplished a lot, which took a lot of effort and hard work,” said Bess.
During his time as a scout, he has dog sledded in Minnesota, camped outside at -33ºF, hiked 60 miles in the Sangre de Cristo Range in the Rocky Mountains, gone ATV riding in the Appalachian Mountains, and spent time in Key West, Florida, snorkeling, kayaking and learning about the ecosystem.
“Much of what I have done has helped me realize that I can stop out of my comfort zone and succeed,” said Bess. “I encourage all youth to try scouting and try something new.”
