NILES — A Niles High School student is hoping to recognize veterans as part of an Eagle Scout project and he is hoping the community will help to share the names of late veterans.

Seventeen-year-old Andrew Wozniak presented his idea to city council members Monday during a regularly scheduled meeting. Wozniak is part of the Troop 579 Eagle Scout Troop.

Wozniak’s plan is to recognize the names of veterans who died between the Civil War and the Vietnam War. The veterans name’s will be placed on a cross and displayed on the lawn of the City Hall.

Wozniak said he hopes to debut the project on Veterans Day in November. The names will be brought out twice a year on Veterans Day and Memorial Day for display.

Wozniak said the idea came from other members of the community, who have called upon the city to recognize local veterans in the past. City council member Tim Skalla, who knew Wozniak was looking for an idea for his scout project, suggested that he find a way to meet this need using his Eagle Scout project.

For Wozniak’s part, the teen said he saw an opportunity to show people an important part of Niles’ history.

“I hear a lot of kids from my high school say things like ‘this town is so boring,’” Wozniak said. “If you look at the past, we have done a lot compared to how relatively small we are. We have done more than some of the big cities. I hope to bring awareness to the fact that Niles is bigger than what it seems.”

Council members seemed to like the idea and even provided Wozniak with a few suggestions. Council member John DiCostanzo asked for Wozniak to consider honoring veterans based on their religious faith and offer prototypes other than a cross. Wozniak said he would be looking into that.

Starting this week, Wozniak will be visiting local businesses to see if they are interested in sponsoring his project. He estimated that the project will cost between $600 and $800 to bring the project to fruition. 

Wozniak’s parents, Patti and Bill, have vouched to help their son with the project and will be helping to construct the crosses from their homes. The prototype is made of wood and is 32 inches tall and 20 inches wide. So far, the family has uncovered 107 names of local veterans.

Wozniak and his parents encouraged anyone who is a family member of a late veteran to share the veterans’ names with them.

Mayor Nick Shelton commended Wozniak for his efforts.

“This is a great idea and a great project,” Shelton said. “I know you’re working hard on it and we are excited to see where it goes.”

Citizens can also donate to the cause. To do so, they can call Patti at (269) 635-9291.