Chainsaws and gravestones are usually the stuff of nightmares. Not in this case. Here they're the stuff of a dream that is a long time coming.
"This project is great because we were stalled," said Andrew Zellers-Frederick.
As part of the Cravens Hall Historical Society, Andrew Zellers-Frederick has spent 20 years trying to rehab this small cemetery. An effort to properly pay tribute to the revolutionary and civil war soldiers buried here.
Nestled between William Tennent High School and an apartment complex, the land owned by the Craven family in Colonial times, long ago fell into ruin.
"It became forgotten, overgrown, the stoned were vandalized, the walls were knocked down," said Zellers-Frederick.
The historical society did what it could, built some walls and brought in new headstones, but trees and decades of growth made anything more nearly impossible. That was until Zack Puglisi came calling.
"It really impacted me a lot actually," said Zack Puglisi.
Zack is an Eagle Scout candidate who was looking for a meaningful project through which to earn his final badge. The cemetery kind of just spoke to him, and he wanted to make it right.
"It's just better for the community, better for the guys who came through and helped serve our country," Zachary said.
So, on a sunny Saturday, after many hours spent planning and preparing, Zack and some friends from the Boy Scouts Troop #139 set about doing just that.
For the soldiers buried there, a show of respect after death; for Zack, a learning experience for life.
Honoring the Craven family is particularly important for young Zachary, as being an Eagle Scout runs in his family. His grandfather was one, as is his older brother.
They are two families, many generations apart, now together forever.
A badge of honor, well earned.
