Set in stone: Eagle Scout project honors veterans

ROCKWELL — The dream of a past AMVETS commander has become a reality due to the efforts of a local scout.

Eagle Scout Michael Bristol worked to make the dream of Robert Hopkins, a Navy veteran with 30 years of service, 20 as a submariner, come true. Hopkins envisioned a display of military flags; however, he died before he was able to begin the project.

Hopkins’ son Robert Hopkins Jr., commander at the Rockwell AMVETS Post 845, wanted to pick up the torch and carry on with what his father planned, dedicating it in his honor, and making it an Eagle Scout project.

He reached out to Bristol, a junior at Gray Stone Day School and a scout with Troop 443, based out of St. John’s Lutheran Church, with the idea of making the flag display his Eagle Scout project and constructing it, to which Bristol agreed.

Hopkins said his dad was involved with the AMVETS and scouts, and therefore he was happy to be able to continue his legacy in doing the project with Michael.

The military flag display, which was built for the Rockwell Post, was begun in February and is a wall of pink granite with three plaques inlaid into it, one with the inscription honoring America’s 250th and in memory of Robert Hopkins Sr.; the second which reads, “All Gave Some – Some Gave All. Dedicated to the memory of all who served proudly in our Armed Forces” with each branch seal; and the third sharing it is Michael Bristol’s Eagle Scout Project 2026.

On either side of the wall are two fallen soldier statutes, and behind are the six branch flags with the American and POW flags in the middle.

Hopkins said the project was a big one, but that Bristol “was very diligent in all his work that he did for us from the proposal he put before the executive committee to getting quotes on all the materials and then lining up the contractors to do the jobs. He was hands-on involved in every bit of it. We were more than pleased with the progress in the project that he completed.”

Bristol noted that he had many volunteers from scout troops and AMVET members who assisted with the project itself and boy and girl scout troops who helped with the dedication.

“We had a lot of people involved in helping make this project a possibility,” he said.

Hopkins expressed thanks to those who contributed to the project and those who attended the monthly breakfast fundraiser.

On Nov. 1 the Eagle project was dedicated at AMVETS Post 845 in Rockwell with a ceremony to commemorate the occasion.

The event began with a welcome address by Commander Hopkins followed by an innovation by the AMVETS Department State Chaplain Wallace Allen, the posting of colors by the Rowan County Veteran Honor Guard and Pledge of Allegiance led by Michael Hopkins.

Hopkins shared the project’s history and how his dad originally had the idea and shared of his service.

Bristol introduced himself and told about each military flag prior to their being raised. As the American flag was raised, the national anthem was played by saxophonist Kenny Chavarria, followed by a recitation of “That Ragged Old Flag” by Nathan Croyle.

Bristol presented recognitions to the commander’s family, veterans and others who had helped with the project.

A benediction Eagle Scout Lucas Douthit and the retiring of the colors by the honor guard concluded the ceremony.

Afterwards, a reception was held in the AMVETS building with refreshments served.

Bristol said he was pleased with the attendance, noting the approximately 95-100 chairs set up were filled with another 10-15 people standing around the tent, estimating between 100-110 being at the ceremony.

“We had quite a good turnout, which is really nice,” he said.

Hopkins said all of his family was able to attend including his mother, Carol Ann Hopkins, and his three brothers, Michael Daniel Hopkins, William Ray Hopkins, all of Rowan County, and his youngest brother, Perry Allen Hopkins, of Georgia.

His two older brothers and himself were all United States Army veterans, all assigned to the 82nd Airborne, he said.

Bristol said he thinks the event went well, noting that he was a little worried prior to it as there were “a lot of moving parts involved in the dedication but everything went according to plan, which is great. So I’m really happy with the way it turned out.”

As people were leaving, Bristol said many congratulated him about the project and complimented him on doing a great job with it and he should be proud.

“They were very proud of the work that I was able to accomplish and were very happy with the dedication,” he said. “A lot of people were very happy with the dedication and the project as a whole.”

Adam Ryerson, scoutmaster of Troop 443, said, “we’re really proud he decided to honor the veterans with his Eagle Scout project and the time and dedication it took to build a wall. We hope he takes that on into the future and through his adult life and continues on with those leadership skills that he learned in scouting.”

With Bristol earning the rank of Eagle Scout, he is the fourth Eagle in his family, something he noted they are very proud about. He said his three older brothers, Thomas, James and John are Eagles and also members of Troop 443.

Bristol said with the flag display being constructed for the AMVETS and on their property, the Post would take on the role of caretaker of it, noting they had installed lights so the display would be visible.

“I feel very honored that I was able to do this project and they thought that I was capable enough to get a project that is quite a big ask and they decided to entrust me with it,” said Bristol, “and I’m very proud to have been able to complete it.”