Restores 55 military veteran headstones for Eagle Scout Project
Special to the
Opelika Observer
Joseph Caleb Abram is the son of Major Jimmie C. Abram and Dr. Joanna Abram. It took six years for Joseph, Boy Scout Troop 371, chartered at the Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn, to reach a lifetime goal by earning his Eagle Scout badge. The final step in the process was his Eagle Scout Project. His team restored 55 veterans’ head stones and built a portable podium for the Pine Level Cemetery. During the same time, he was a member of the Auburn High School varsity football team and the Auburn High School Debate Club. He also facilitated the Annual Joseph Abram Teddy Bear Campaign, in which 3,500 teddy bears were donated to community agencies.
The following recipients had this to say at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor Reception:
• Wanda Lewis, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County, shared that the teddy bears were used for reading time at the club.
• Donna Mosholder, with the EAMC Pediatric Department, explained that the teddy bears were used to demonstrate to the children how they would receive shots.
• Jenny Glaze, Camp Good Grief, remembered using them at their camps.
All three organizations gave the bears as gifts.
In honor of his achievement, he received a certificate of recognition from Gov. Kay Ivey, House of Representative’s Resolution (HR93) by Rep. John Rogers, Jr., certificate of recognition from Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, and a proclamation from the Mayor’s office proclaiming July 28, 2019 as “Joseph Caleb Abram Eagle Scout Day” presented by Auburn Mayor Ron Anders.
Acknowledgements came from State Rep. Joe Levvorn, President Jimmy Carter and President George W. Bush.
Joseph, an AHS Class of 2019 graduate, humbly appreciates Dr. Joanna Abram, Joy Abram, Juanita Webb, Daniel T. Williams, Robert L. Thomas, Sr., Andre’ Richardson, Judge Mike Fellows, Dr. Jess and Jill Campbell, Walter and Frazelma Lynn, Dr. Edna Earl Christmas, Doug and Doris Eaves, Dr. John Hung, Jonathan Midddleton, members of Troop 371 and the members of Auburn University’s Alpha Phi Omega for helping him to achieve his goal.