Eagle Scout Dominic Adams, left, hosts the dedication of his Eagle Scout project, a COVID-19 memorial in Tod Park in Girard, while members of McDonald troop 83, from left, Ryan Milne, Aiden Haidi, and Zachary Kaiser prepare to raise the flag Saturday afternoon.

GIRARD — A COVID-19 memorial in Tod Park dedicated Saturday afternoon may be the first in the area.

The refurbished flagpole, bench, decorative rock and stone pathway were christened by Dominic Adams, 18, of Boy Scout Troop 83, who created the memorial for his Eagle Scout project.

“It’s very important. We can’t forget what happened, what we lost. But we also can’t forget what we learned,” Adams said.

The memorial is dedicated to all first responders and health care workers who were affected by COVID-19 as well as those who lost their lives to the virus. The project began in July and cost around $2,500, which was raised through “the gratuity of the greater Youngstown area,” according to Adams.

Originally, Adams intended to just refurbish the flagpole that was already in that location, but after deciding he wanted to add a bench and a decorative rock, he realized it had to be something more.

“We started thinking of things we wanted to dedicate it to, and then this was all happening during COVID-19,” said Adams. “It dawned on me and my Eagle counselor, Alex Milne, that we should probably dedicate it to the calamity that’s currently facing us, COVID-19.”

The project grew as Adams received donations of bricks, bushes and a light — prompting him to create a brick pathway and do some landscaping.

Adams, who is graduating from Ursuline High School on May 30. and will attend Yougnstown State University, said he wanted to do the project in Tod Park because he grew up in Girard.

“I’ve spent a lot of time here — the St. Rose picnic, playing t-ball here when I was little –and it seemed like a very nice location, and it felt right,” he said.

Girard Mayor James Melfi, who spoke at the dedication, said that Adams kept him abreast of every detail of the project.

“You can tell he’s an Eagle Scout,” Melfi said of Adams.

Melfi also called the dedication of the memorial a “proud moment.”

“This will stand for years to come to remember the very difficult year that was 2020.”

Members of Adams’ troop raised the flag. Msgr. John Zuraw, pastor of St. Rose Church, blessed the memorial and prayed for those affected by COVID-19.

Adams said his best friend, Ian Jones, and Troop 83 scouts, Aiden Haidi, Noah Potts, Jimmy Kaminski, Zachary Kaiser, Ryan Milne, Gerrick DeLuga and Braiden Green, as well as Scout Master Brad Lang, helped with the project.

He is the son of Michael and Christine Adams of Girard.

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