Greater Alexandria Eagle Scout Project Provides Path To History

MANASSAS, VA — Part of the requirements to earn Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America is completing a service project. For Eagle Scout candidate Omar E. Thondique II of Troop 1906 in the Gum Springs are, his project was inspired by being in a military family and his passion for history.

Thondique's project added a section to the boardwalk at Manassas National Battlefield Park, a national park that was the site of a major Civil War battle. During a spring break visit to Manassas National Battlefield Park, Thondique realized he could help improve the experience for visitors who walk through wet, muddy fields to some of the park's monuments during rainy weather.

The Eagle Scout candidate's project adds a 40-foot section of a boardwalk to the Deep Cut Loop Trail. It is part of a 360-foot boardwalk in one of the lowest-lying areas of the battlefield.

In late June, Thondique led a team of volunteers to construct the boardwalk section. The effort was supported with financial resources and labor from the Xi Alpha Lamba Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Bethlehem Baptist Church Men’s Ministry, the Family of Westly Louder, friends, and family members of Troop 1906.

"The Eagle Scout Project pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Leading Scouts is one thing, but directing a team of adults made me nervous," said Thondique via a news release. "[It] turned out to be easier than leading Scouts… I used the Boy Scouts of America EDGE method — Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, Enable — to lead the group and everything worked out just fine."

Thondique's project was inspired by his familiarity with military culture by living around military installations. He also has an interest in World War II history, particularly the battles at Normandy and Stalingrad.

The Eagle Scout rank is the Boy Scouts' highest honor. Boy Scouts can earn the rank by meeting requirements in leadership, service and outdoor skills, including earning at least 21 merit badges, taking leadership roles and completing a large community service project. Only a small percentage of eligible Scouts earn the Eagle Scout ranking, but numbers have been trending up as boys stay in the programs longer and girls became eligible. The year with the most Scouts becoming Eagle Scouts was recorded in 2019 with 61,353, according to Scouting Magazine. In 2020, the first female Eagle Scouts were introduced.

Thondique is part of Troop 1906, which serves the Gum Springs and greater Alexandria area. The troop was created in 2004 when the Xi Alpha Lamba Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity partnered with Rev. Dr. Darrell K. White, Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, to co-sponsor the troop.