Utah Gov. John Huntsman Jr. remembers his own Eagle Scout project. Like many candidates for Scouting's top achievement badge, the future governor cleared and beautified some sort of trail. A worthwhile project, no doubt — but Gov. Huntsman would likely admit his project couldn't match the one organized and executed by 15-year-old Junior Cruz.
It was Junior who asked, several months ago, why Salt Lake City would name streets for a couple of pro basketball stars — e.g. former Utah Jazz players John Stockton and Karl Malone — but not a native Salt Laker/U.S. Marine who lost his life last year fighting in Iraq. So instead of organizing a food drive or trail clean-up effort, Junior used his Eagle project as a vehicle to honor Cpl. Adam Galvez — a young man Junior never knew but calls a hero.
On Feb. 2, following several months of organizing and civic prodding and persuading, Junior and his fellow LDS Scouts from Troop 987 helped unveil a street sign on a stretch of Salt Lake City's 300 South emblazoned with the words "Adam Galvez St."
"Junior Cruz did about the coolest Eagle project that I've ever heard of," said Gov. Huntsman at a ceremony at Franklin Elementary School held prior to the sign's unveiling. The event was attended by hundreds, including children of all ages, political leaders, veterans, several media agencies and some 50 Marines from Twentynine Palms, Calif., who had served with Cpl. Galvez.
It's perhaps a minor miracle that anyone would be gathering to celebrate the culmination of an Eagle project of a Scout from Troop 987. The unit is sponsored by the Buena Vista Branch, Salt Lake Cannon Stake. Just three years ago, the Scouting program in the Spanish-speaking branch was essentially non-existent. Eager for the young men in his stewardship to participate fully in the Church program, Buena Vista Branch President Dorian Nye asked one of his counselors, Michael Clara, to oversee the Scout troop.
"Within a few months, it was obvious I couldn't do the administrative duties and Scouting," said Brother Clara, who was released from the branch presidency and became the troop's full-time Scoutmaster. The Buena Vista Scouts are immigrants or children of immigrants. Few had any Scouting background. Brother Clara admits the troop was a tough sell initially.
Many of the boys simply wanted to play pick-up basketball during the troop's scheduled Scout meetings at the Buena Vista meetinghouse. "I had to tell them, 'No more basketball."' Soon, and with some reluctance, the boys were arriving at weekly Scout meetings in uniform, ready to participate in organized activities. Brother Clara enlisted outside help to locate Scouting equipment and leadership. The boys began having fun, performed service and learned character.
"We teach them the gospel principles on Sundays...then practice those principle during the week (through Scouting)," Brother Clara said.
Included in Troop 987's training have been lessons in patriotism, civic involvement and showing proper respect for the American flag. Some of the boys have become involved in their school's R.O.T.C. programs. Honoring Cpl. Galvez's sacrifice seemed a natural decision for Eagle candidate Junior Cruz, who chose 300 South because that was where the fallen Marine had played baseball.
The troop would also learn that securing a name change for a municipal street was no easy task. They met some resistance from elected leaders, Brother Clara said. So Junior and the rest of the Buena Vista Scouts asked residents living along 300 South in west Salt Lake to sign a petition supporting "Adam Galvez Street." All signed and the Salt Lake City Council eventually approved the name change. Businesses and individuals came forward with the money needed to file petitions and purchase the new street signs that bear the familiar globe and anchor Marine Corps logo.
Brother Clara said his troop and branch have been blessed by Junior's efforts. Many have learned lifelong lessons about civic involvement. Meanwhile, with each step of Junior's drawn-out Eagle project, the Scouts and their leaders petitioned divine assistance. "The boys recognize the power of prayer. We never made the next move until we prayed about it," Brother Clara said.
E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com
