Scout plans veterans memorial

LAKE VILLA -- Mike Lubash, a 13-year-old Lake Villa Boy Scout, is moving ahead with his plan to build a veterans memorial in Lake Villa as his Eagle Scout project.

Lubash's proposal was approved by the Northeast Illinois Boy Scout Council and has the backing of the Village Board, said Mayor Frank Loffredo.

"He's designed a nice, tasteful tribute to our veterans and it will be a good addition to what we have at Lehmann Park," the mayor said.

The village has a small memorial to World War II veterans at Lehmann Park. Village parades end there, and it would be a good location for flag burning and other ceremonies, Lubash said.

Lubash, an eighth-grade student at Palombi Middle School, said he wants to complete the memorial by Veterans Day in November.

He is selling "Support Our Troops" magnets and brick pavers to raise funds for the project. He will also sponsor fund-raisers at spring and summer community events.

Lubash was inspired by the death of his cousin, Sgt. Rickey Jones, who died in April 2006 in Iraq. He attended Jones' funeral in Kokomo, Ind.

"It was awesome the amount of respect shown to him and our family. I wanted to do something local to show my respect for all veterans," the Scout said.

Lubash has shown village officials a three-dimensional model of the proposed memorial that will be built of marble and brick, surrounded by benches, three flag poles and landscaping.

Loffredo said he will ask Clarence Davids & Co. Landscaping to work with Lubash on his plan.

"They did a great job with the landscaping at Lehmann Mansion and the Metra train station, and we'll have a better idea of how Mike's design can be incorporated into the park after they look at the plan," the mayor said.