Matthew Harbaugh set to graduate from Clearview and head to the Culinary Institute of America
The lawn of the Harrison Township Municipal Building has gone from a grassy patch with a flag to a memorial honoring service members both national and local.
Thanks to Clearview Regional High School senior and soon-to-be Eagle Scout Matthew Harbaugh of Mullica Hill Troop 44, residents passing by can take a moment to reflect on the service of others, Harbaugh’s main driving point behind the project.
“I chose to combine national and local because most memorials are only for either one. I thought, ‘why not do both?’” Harbaugh said.
Breaking ground on April 4 to begin the retaining wall, which offers 12 feet on either side of the pole, the Scout’s project included 184 personal hours and included the help of 52 volunteers who combined logged more than 700 hours. A local electrician volunteered 50 hours, and now the memorial is suited with lighting. Many materials and funds were donated by the Mantua Home Depot by way of assistant manager Tom Billingsley.
The project and the paperwork needed to send to the Boy Scouts of American Board in Texas was completed just two days before Harbaugh’s 18 birthday on June 8 — all Eagle Scout projects must come to a close before a Scout turns 18 or the title of Eagle Scout is out of reach.
In front of the flagpole are now multiple round placards imprinted with symbols honoring the branches of the military and local services, including law enforcement, EMS and fire departments.
Painted ivory by his brother Randy, an Eagle Scout, the placards sit on bases in a bed of rocks in front of three statues: an Army woman, a Marine and a police officer standing sentinel with his K9 partner.
Much of his inspiration comes from a long line of military members on both sides of the family, including family who fought in World War II.
A Scout since the age of 5, Harbaugh has no plans of ditching what he has learned as he moves on to college after his high school graduation.
“I’m happy I did it because there are so many different skills I learned, like public speaking and leadership,” he said. He added Scouting allows a person to engage in service projects that help others.
Reaching the status of senior patrol leader, the top position in a troop who oversees operations, Harbaugh led his troop of nearly 30 Scouts in an initiative to gather more than 1,000 pounds of food for a local food pantry.
No stranger to responsibility at a young age, Harbaugh took over many cooking tasks for his family after his mother, Linda, was diagnosed with cancer in 2011. The cancer is now in remission.
“In the last three years, he’s cooked Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and Easter dinner,” said Dave Harbaugh, the Scout’s father.
Despite tragic circumstances, Harbaugh found his passion in the kitchen and now readies himself for life in New York state at the Culinary Institute for America where he will study food business management under the wing of his director who Harbaugh says is an Eagle Scout.
“I want to apply what I learned in Scouting and live Scout oath law while I pursue my passion,” Harbaugh said, adding he feels the Scouting motto “Be prepared” will be a guiding force for him in college.
Another phrase he feels will help him is the French phrase “mise en place,” translating to “everything in its place.”
“When cooking, you have to get all of your prep done, then, once you start cooking, you are ready and know where everything is. [The phrase] is parallel to the Scout motto,” he said.
Harbaugh, a diligent student of German, hopes cooking and his bilingual ability will allow him to travel far and wide later in life.
