Strube attains rank of Eagle Scout after two-year project

Dustin Strube stands next to the Dyer County World War II Monument. The monument was part of his community service project for his Eagle Scout rank. A full listing of Dyer County World War II veterans along with photos and other mementos are encased in a buried time capsule. [Click to enlarge]

Every once in a while an ordinary individual will take on an extraordinary task.

Some meet with failure while others are embraced by success. And Dustin Strube is one of those that was successful in what many, even close peers, thought was too much for this teenager to try to tackle.

The plan to build a World War II Memorial, on the court square, was his community service project for his Eagle Scout rank.

Scoutmaster Edgar Shults (at podium) and Brodie Cupples (standing) watch as Rhonda Strube pins the Eagle Scout badge onto her son, Dustin Strube. [Click to enlarge]

However, he elected to take on the project knowing it would postpone his achieving Eagle Scout for a couple of years.

Now that the project is completed (two years after its original conception) Strube was finally awarded his Eagle Scout rank in a Court of Honor in December.

Although Strube did most of the work, he did have some guidance from the likes of his Scoutmaster Edgar Schults, his project mentor Helen Enochs and his sponsors Gleyn Twilla and Mayor Richard Hill, Pat Hinson and his mother, Rhonda Strube.

Dyersburg Mayor John Holden and Dyer County Mayor Richard Hill stand with Dustin Strube at his induction into the ranks of the Eagle Scouts. [Click to enlarge]

"We took great care that Dustin did the project himself," said Enochs. "It was nothing but a pleasure and an honor to work with him."

Both mayors also gave accolades to Strube. "Guys like Dustin don't come around too often," said Hill. "He certainly doesn't take no for an answer."

"Dustin is to be commended for his accomplishment in placing this World War II memorial on the Courthouse lawn," said Holden. "I am proud that he chose this as his Eagle Scout project to honor those who served so bravely in this war."

Strube stands between his project mentor Helen Enochs and his mother, Rhonda Strube, as they hold a check for the remaining funds of the World War II memorial that will be sent to the National World War II Monument in Washington D.C. [Click to enlarge]

The "no" that Mayor Hill was referring to, was when Strube announced his decision to erect a World War II monument to Shults. "I said you can't do it, it is too big of a project" said Shults. "He's the only person I've ever known of to take on a project this size."

Shults apologized to Strube at the Eagle Scout ceremony for not believing he could accomplish the mammoth undertaking.

Strube's decision to erect a monument to the veterans was to honor his great-grandfather, Jap Sites. "When I was circling around the court square with my grandmother, I saw there was no World War II monument," said Strube. "I thought, 'I'm going to try to get a World War II monument'."

Dustin described what it felt like when he was given the Eagle Scout badge. "It made me feel really good," said Strube. "Because it took me so long to finish."

Maybe nobody is more proud of him than his mother. "Dustin is very successful in everything he does," said Rhonda Strube. "He has a great outlook on life and everything is well thought out."

Strube's fundraising efforts raised $11,401.27. The monument totaled $10,252 and Strube will send the remaining $1,149.27 to the National World War II Monument in Washington D.C.

As for Strube's plans for the future, he plans to graduate from high school, go to college and possibly be a bone specialist.

"When I heard that, I wasn't going to tell him he couldn't do it," said Shults jokingly.

Strube is applying for the 2008 Boy Scout of the Year.