GCMS student's Eagle Scout project to see local park named after soldier killed in Vietnam
May 24—GIBSON CITY — Gibson City will soon gain two new things: An Eagle Scout and a park named after the town's sole Vietnam War veteran killed in action.
Seventeen-year-old Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School student Maxwell Moody, a proud member of Boy Scouts' Mahomet-based Troop 103, gained approval from the Gibson City Council last week to formally dedicate a park on the western edge of town as William Eugene Campbell Memorial Park.
The site, which sits across from the city's dog park, will feature a sign, a stone path, flowers and landscaped bushes leading to a pole waving the American flag for Mr. Campbell, who died in 1969.
Moody undertook the project in order to find a "lasting" way to help others while fulfilling the requirement to complete a community-oriented project as part of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest conferred by the organization.
He said he joined the Boy Scouts when he was in the fifth grade because, while his immediate family doesn't necessarily enjoy camping, he loves the outdoors.
As he rose through the ranks, he learned how to build a fire, put up a tent and swing an ax.
Now a Life Scout, the second-highest rank, Moody said he was looking for ideas last spring when Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey, who was visiting his father, suggested that he look into helping name a city park after Mr. Campbell.
He said while he was eager to help a local family directly, it wasn't until he met the veteran's siblings in early March that he learned they had been trying to get a memorial for their brother for a while now.
"It definitely helped me realize what I was actually doing," Moody said.
"Talking to the family, talking about how important it is to them and how much of an impact I'm going to be making on their family directly, really helped me kick it into gear, and I wanted to make this project the best it could be to serve their wishes accurately."
Mr. Campbell joined the Army on Aug. 12, 1968, at the age of 19 and was killed in action in Vietnam about a year later on Aug. 2, 1969, at age 20.
He was a member of the 501st Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division and fought near the Vietnamese city of Tamky, receiving the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal, among other honors.
While pulling together the memorial in Mr. Campbell's name, Moody said he met with lots of different people from all over the city.
He got recommendations from botanists at Ropps Flower Factory on what flowers would look best along the path to Mr. Campbell's plaque ("Autumn's Fire" and "Kitten Around"), obtained an Alumilite sign from local printer Kearfott Ghraphix, and talked with members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
Moody said acquiring materials for the memorial wouldn't have been possible without donations from the Lion's Club and other benefactors like the VFW, the American Legion, the local Presbyterian Church and his friends and family.
He also went before the city council on May 13 and got unanimous approval for funding for the memorial and support for the city to officially rename the park.
While the plaque commemorating Mr. Campbells' service and accomplishments likely won't be installed until August, Moody said he's excited to finally achieve the rank of Eagle Scout and continue helping other people in his community.
"I've been a Boy Scout for a really long time and so finally getting my Eagle Scout and doing this project is really rewarding," Moody said.
"As for the effect on Gibson City, I know that people use that pond frequently and so I feel that people will appreciate that because people really appreciate the veterans. I know people are wanting to see it done and they will be glad to see it done, so that fills me with a sense of pride."
