A model idea: Scouts, vets mingle over WWII project
Boy Scouts, veterans mingle over World War II project
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Chris Laker, 12, of Hanover Park, looks over the model of the USS Enterprise that he built with the help of VFW member Robert Terreberry of Schaumburg, who served on the carrier during World War II. PHOTO COURTESY OF Juanito Tantoco |
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Models made by Boy Scouts and members of Streamwood VFW Post 5151 were on display Saturday during the recognition ceremony. Veterans plan to display them permanently on shelves and behind Plexiglass, with the Scouts’ names attached, in the back of the hall. PHOTO COURTESY OF Juanito Tantoco |
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Bill Wolff, commander of the Illinois VFW, attended the ceremony and commended the veterans on organizing the intergenerational project. PHOTO COURTESY OF Juanito Tantoco |
A unique project last month drew Scouts to work alongside World War II veterans, building models of some of the war’s historic vehicles.
But what really drove the project was mingling the Scouts with the veterans, and hearing their stories.
The intergenerational campaign took place at the Streamwood VFW Hall, Post 5151. Every week during March, Scouts from Troops 199 and 398 turned out to piece together their models, and learn about the vets’ wartime service.
Venture Hobbies in Wheeling donated all of the models to VFW members in support of the project.
Chris Laker, 12, of Hanover Park, made one of the hardest models, a replica of the U.S.S. Enterprise, one of the most decorated aircraft carriers from World War II.
On hand to help him was veteran Robert Terreberry of Schaumburg, who served on the Enterprise from 1942 to the end of the war. While the carrier won 20 battle stars, Terreberry himself earned 18.
“I listened to his stories for an hour before we started building the model,” Chris said.
In all, there were more than 400 pieces to assemble in building the carrier, complete with fighter jets positioned in line for takeoff.
“It was hard working with so many pieces,” Chris added. “But it was fun.”
Terreberry told the young Scout of how he was 18 when he first joined the ship. He was so small he couldn’t handle shooting the 5-inch guns, positioned off the ship’s port side, and that after trying it once, the gun’s force flew him up in the air.
Consequently, he served in damage control and firefighting during the duration of the war.
VFW members organized the project as part of the 46th anniversary of their post. The 235 members represent several different foreign conflicts, and live in Streamwood, Hanover Park, Bartlett, Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates.
In all, the Scouts assembled 18 models, ranging from a Vietnam helicopter and World War II submarine, to other aircraft carriers, jeeps and tanks.
Senior patrol leader Nick Fortney, 14, of Hanover Park, made a replica of the B-29 Superfortress bomber, similar to the Enola Gay, which dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Richard Dorta, a sophomore at Hoffman Estates High School, made an M4 Sherman tank.
“It’s kind of interesting to see that it’s not that different from today’s models,” Dorta said of the medium-sized tank.
At a special ceremony to recognize each of the Scouts, Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig, who is a former Boy Scout leader and current VFW member, gave an emotional tribute to the veterans for serving as role models for the Scouts.
“Together we can rise and be honorable,” Craig said, “modeling the right stuff as veterans with our young people.”
Likewise, veteran Howard Fritz of Streamwood, wrote his thoughts down, so as not to lose his composure when he rose to thank the Scouts.
“What you have done for us, for the combat veterans here,” Fritz said, “deeply touches all of us.”
