Lifestyle
Patriotic Eagle Scout Project Makes Huge Impact on Local Fallen Heroes
THE WOODLANDS, TX – Life Scout Grace Kotalik, of Scouts BSA Troop 1777, will begin delivery of her Eagle Project Friday, January 26, 2024. This project is one of great personal significance to her as it has been inspired by her older brother, Eagle Scout, U.S. Army Specialist Jarrett Kotalik who lost his life July 10, 2023.
Grace has shared these thoughts on the Project:
“When it came time to plan my Eagle Scout project, I knew that I wanted it to be a tribute to my 2nd oldest brother, Jarrett. He died unexpectedly at his Army base on July 10, 2023. Before his passing, he was a volunteer for our other brothers’ Eagle projects. Unfortunately, Jarrett isn’t here to assist with mine. Because he was deeply patriotic, I drew inspiration from him in my planning.”
“I selected several elements for the box designs in remembrance of Jarrett. The blue reminds me of the Chicago Cubs, Jarrett’s favorite professional baseball team. There are 13 stripes around the box. While that is also the number of stripes on an American flag, Jarrett always connected that number to me because I was born on February 13. When he went through basic training, he wrote 213 inside his combat boots because he knew I was his cheering him on.
“Each of the flag boxes has a unique silhouette painting on the front. I love to paint silhouettes as gifts to my family and the last one that I gave Jarrett depicted him catching a fish in the pond by our house. Jarrett loved military history, and each box has graphics of symbols on one side related to United States memorials and significant locations that we visited as a family over the years.”
The Flag Box Collection contains four specially designed boxes to honor fallen U.S. service members. The boxes have different namesakes, representing different service branches, and the Eagle Project is a tribute to Grace’s brother, Jarrett.
The boxes will be delivered to their permanent locations in the Woodlands Area and during each delivery, there will be a dedication ceremony where the namesake service members’ families will be honored. The boxes will also be blessed by one of the ministers from Trinity Episcopal Church in The Woodlands.
Trinity is the Charter Partner for Grace’s troop, and it is the church home of the Kotalik family. Trinity’s support of Grace’s project was instrumental as part of the National Scouts BSA guidelines on Eagle Projects.
Dedication Ceremonies
- Box 2 of 4 in the Flag Box Collection – The Air Force Box
- Namesake: TSgt Cody Ball & Other Fallen U.S. Air Force Heroes
- Date of Dedication: Friday, January 26, 2024, at 3 p.m.
- Location: South County Community Center, 2235 Lake Robbins Dr.
- Box 4 of 4 in the Flag Box Collection – The Navy & Marine Box
- Families of Lance Cpl. Armando Hernandez & HM1 Kristofer Guy’s Families will Attend
- Date of Dedication: Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 3 p.m.
- Location: Timber Lakes Timber Ridge HOA, 25610 Timber Lakes Dr.
- Box 3 of 4 in the Flag Box Collection – The Army Box
- Namesake: Specialist Joey Lenz & Other Fallen U.S. Army Heroes
- Date of Dedication: Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 2:30 p.m.
- Location: Interfaith of The Woodlands, 4242 Interfaith Way
- Box 1 of 4 in the Flag Box Collection – Box in Memory of U.S. Army Specialist Jarrett Kotalik
- Date of Dedication: Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 2:30 p.m.
- Location: Trinity Episcopal Church, 3901 S. Panther Creek Dr.
Each box contains a QR Code that will connect those who visit the sites to a website with more information about the project, boxes, and stories of the fallen heroes that they memorialize.
Grace has said of the Boxes:
“The fallen heroes will never be forgotten and in years to come everyone who visits the boxes will be connected to their stories. Those who place flags to be retired in these boxes will see the paintings on the front and be reassured that our heroes are watching over the worn symbols of our Nation, until they can be properly retired.”
Following the Dedication Ceremonies, Grace will carry out a large flag retirement ceremony.
- Date/Time: March 9, 2024, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
- Location: Outdoor Amphitheater at Camp Strake
The public is invited along with families of Fallen Service Members, local VFW Post and American Legion members, Scouts from the surrounding areas including Trinity’s Scouts from Cub Scout Pack 777, Troop 777, Venturing Crew 112, and Grace’s Troop 1777. Over 300 flags that have been flown around our county will be properly retired as part of the service.
The Eagle Scout Project is a huge passion endeavor for Grace. She is a Gold Star sister who lost her brother six months ago. Grace has said “it has become comforting when we feel like our fallen heroes are remembered and honored and this was my way of honoring the lives and sacrifices of Jarrett, Joey, Cody, Armando, Kristofer, Michael, Brandon, and all of those who have died in service to our great country”
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