Brad Horn/Nevada AppealRyan Keating, 15, of Carson City and 16 other Scouts and volunteers built this bench at the top of C-Hill Saturday. Keating, above, and his father, Ryan; Ed and Nathan James; and Chris Bradley finished the Carson High School student's Eagle Scout project Sunday morning.
Hikers climbing C Hill now have a respite once they reach the top.
"It's uphill, and it's a long way up along a steep grade," explained Ryan Keating, 15. "You really need a place to sit down and be able to rest."
With the help of fellow Scouts, Keating spent the weekend hauling supplies up the hill to build a bench near the site where the American flag is being constructed.
"With the bench there, it's a better climb than it was before," Keating concluded. "You can see all of Carson from it. It's a real good view."
A Cub Scout by the age of 5, Keating has continued through the Scouting program and earned his Eagle Scout badge by building the bench.
"It makes me feel good that I did something for the community," he said. "I'm glad it's something that will last."
The bench overlooks the "C" painted on the side of the hill and the spot just below where crews are working to rebuild the giant flag, constructed just after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"We think it's a nice idea to give people a chance to sit and reflect and enjoy the scenery," said Tod Jennings, a member of the C Hill Foundation. "Hopefully, people will respect the area and the flag."
The new flag will be constructed out of 390 panels secured to anchors on a frame made of drilling pipe.
Construction has been temporarily stalled, however. The foundation planned on receiving help from the Nevada Division of Forestry, but the crews and trucks are busy fighting recent wildfires.
Jennings, who spent three years oversees with the U.S. Air Force, insists that building the flag is worth the effort.
"It was a great thing for me to be able to up on that hill and see that flag," he said. "I've lived in other countries where I haven't been able to.
"The flag is a symbol of freedom and provides solace to people."
You can help
What: Help return the flag to C Hill
To volunteer labor: Contact:
Gil Ayarbe 882-1681
To donate goods or
services: Contact
Robin Williamson 883-9577
To contribute:
Contact:
Chris MacKenzie 687-0202
Information: www-c-hill-us
Contact Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1272.