Eagle Scout project beautifies veterans area at Lower Burrell City Hall

When Camden Seidel was younger, he would go to his mother’s office in Lower Burrell City Hall, play outside with friends and notice the nearby veterans memorial.

“We would see this memorial, and it was just a monument on top of a white pile of rocks,” said Seidel, 18, of Lower Burrell. “So, when I was starting my Eagle Scout project, I wanted to fix that up.”

It was a project two years in the making. While it was a hard process, it was one well worth it, Seidel said.

The project, which was completed in the spring, features a patio around the veterans monument and benches dedicated to each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

For his efforts, Lower Burrell Council presented Seidel with a proclamation at its meeting Monday.

Members also declared July 10 as Camden Seidel Day in the city.

“I was excited. I didn’t expect it,” Seidel said. “I knew the proclamation was coming, and I knew they were going to recognize me in some way but not that way.”

Councilman Chris Fabry, who presented the proclamation to Seidel, said he has known Seidel from his involvement in volunteer events throughout the years.

“He is such a fine young member of society and will do wonders for Lower Burrell in general, and I’m so proud of you and the man that you’ve become over all these years,” Fabry said. “And I’m so proud that you’re going to go out into the world and represent Lower Burrell.”

Seidel said he presented his project idea to city council in spring 2021, and the proposal was approved by the Boy Scouts of America’s Laurel Highlands Council that summer.

Working with businesses, city officials and others has taught Seidel leadership skills.

He thanked city public works officials and Anthony’s Concrete for their skills working the patio portion of the project.

Shultz Ornamental, Lower Burrell Sherwin Williams, city public works staff and Troop 134 of New Kensington Boy Scouts helped to paint and build the benches around the memorial. Jennison Manufacturing Group in Carnegie donated metal for the benches.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 92 in Lower Burrell provided a monetary donation for the project, Seidel said.

“I’m very thankful for everyone that came out to help me and support me. I couldn’t have done any of this project without the people that helped me,” he said.

And he gave a special thanks to his parents, Bill and Regina Seidel, for their support.

“I wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” Seidel said.

It took a while to get the project off the ground, but once it started, everything kind of fell into place, he said.

The finished product is similar to his first design drawing.

“I couldn’t be more proud with how it turned out,” he said.

Seidel graduated from Burrell High School in the spring and will attend the University of Pittsburgh in the fall to study biological sciences. He plans to become a pediatric cardiologist.