Amid a backdrop of sunny skies and patriotic tunes at this year’s Kirtland Veterans Day ceremony, community members recognized the efforts of a local scout to honor service members who are prisoners of war or missing in action. The creation of a new POW/MIA bench was spearheaded by local high school student Isabelle Copeland for her Eagle Scout project. Located at the Kirtland Area Veterans Memorial, it features the POW/MIA emblem and states that those who are missing are not forgotten. “Let us take a moment today to not only thank the veterans around us, but to reflect on the profound impact their service has had on our lives and the nation. May we never take for granted the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom, and may we always honor those who have served.” — Keith McCrory “The POW/MIA program will not stop until all United States personnel are accounted for,” Copeland said. “Establishing this POW/MIA memorial in Kirtland rightfully pays tribute to the overwhelming sacrifices of our former POWs, the thousands still missing in action and the families who seek their return.” She said that the bench took about five months to plan and complete. After getting approval from memorial president Keith McCrory and her scout council, she began to raise funds and support from the wider community. She and another scout helped engrave the bench. Copeland thanked the many community members and organizations who contributed to her project. “It has been a pleasure working on this project and interacting with so many wonderful, patriotic and generous people within our community,” she said. “I think it really helped grow my leadership skills, not just because I had to go around and fundraise and speak at all these different organizations, but I also had to lead and guide the physical part of the project, leading other people along every step of the way, so it was a pretty cool experience to get to do this,” Copeland added later. The Kirtland Area Veterans Memorial POW/MIA bench is pictured after the memorial's 2024 Veterans Day ceremony. (Bryson Durst -- The News-Herald)The Kirtland Area Veterans Memorial POW/MIA bench is pictured after the memorial's 2024 Veterans Day ceremony. (Bryson Durst -- The News-Herald)Show Caption1 of 2The Kirtland Area Veterans Memorial POW/MIA bench is pictured after the memorial's 2024 Veterans Day ceremony. (Bryson Durst -- The News-Herald)Expand McCrory described the experience of working with Copeland as “a great honor.” “It is a constant reminder that will never go away of all the 83,000 POWs and MIAs still missing in United States history, and it’s our little symbol, our little token for those people that are still missing,” he said. The more than 80,000 missing Americans hail from conflicts including World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, according to United States Defense Department data. Copeland completed her project as a member of Scouts BSA Troop 286G. Scoutmaster Mike Hill said that she will be the second Eagle Scout in the girls troop’s three-year history. Related Articles Local News | North Perry Village Council hears second reading of resolution to reappoint official Local News | Lake County officials present first State of the County report Local News | Mentor Public Library announces November computer classes Local News | Cindy Parsons of Wounded Warrior Project speaks at Mentor Veterans Day ceremony Local News | Burroughs Nature Club to hear about learning geology using Authentic Learning “It was just flawless,” Hill said. “She did an amazing job, and she had a lot of support from the community, financially and just for scouts digging up the ground. So yeah, it went pretty easily, but a lot of work for her.” “For veterans, they needed this here,” he added later. “It’s great; it’s a beautiful piece and now they can come and they can visit. And then for the community – I’d love to see these other kids come up after people like Izzy and do community service, do projects like this.” The Nov. 11 ceremony also included performances of the “Star Spangled Banner” and military branch songs by the Kirtland High School band. McCrory also spoke about Veterans Day to the crowd of students, veterans and other community members. “Veterans Day is not just about remembering the past, but about looking forward, ensuring that the legacy of service continues in the generations to come,” he said. “I encourage each of you, especially our young students, to learn from the examples set by the veterans in your lives, whether family members, neighbors and members of the community.” “Let us take a moment today to not only thank the veterans around us, but to reflect on the profound impact their service has had on our lives and the nation,” McCrory added later. “May we never take for granted the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom, and may we always honor those who have served.”