Lower Southampton Eagle Scout Ryan Bayna replaced 200 veteran grave markers at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
When it comes to understanding the sacrifices, risks and hardships of the military, Ryan Bayna is an expert.
Growing up, the 15-year old Lower Southampton resident heard firsthand accounts from his grandfather, Bassan Kuchinov, a Korean War veteran, father Richard Bayna, a Persian Gulf veteran, and now 22-year old brother Dylan Bayna, who was recently deployed to Japan.
So when Ryan discovered hundreds of military grave markers at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery in Langhorne were either deteriorated or missing, he knew the brave men and women buried at the site deserved much better. With the help of the Jesse Soby American Legion Post №148 and members of a neighboring Boy Scout troop, Ryan replaced nearly 200 markers as part of his Eagle Scout project.
The idea for this selfless act has been a long time coming. Ryan, a Neshaminy High School freshman, began his involvement in scouting six years ago as a Cub Scout with Pack 19. Every year before Memorial Day, his group would assist Langhorne’s Jesse Soby Post in replacing worn out flags at the cemetery. While doing this, he couldn’t help but notice the striking number of broken down grave markers.
As Ryan went on to join Troop 30 in Yardley as a Boy Scout and eventually become a member himself of the Jesse Soby Post, that heartbreaking visual stuck with him. When it came time to choose a focus for his Eagle Scout project, it was a no brainer to do a complete overhaul of the grave markers. These individuals put their lives on the line for their country. The least he could do was make sure they were properly honored at their final place of rest.
“I knew that I wanted to be able to do my Eagle Scout project helping replace these and to also help remember the service that these men and women sacrificed for our country, and for their families to know that they are never forgotten,” he said.
On May 19, Ryan, along with 20 members of Boy Scout Troop 30, Cub Scout Pack 19 and Jesse Soby American Legion Post №148, replaced approximately 200 military grave markers of WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam war veterans within sections four, five and six of Our Lady of Grace Cemetery.
“I chose these specific sections because, after speaking with the groundskeeper, he informed me that these sections had the most veterans buried there,” Ryan explained.
The entire project took about two hours thanks to the additional help from his friends, and all participants left with warm hearts despite the cold and rainy day.
“We were soaked but we had a great time,” Ryan said. “This will be an experience that I will never forget.”
Neither will his father Richard.
“It’s an honor to have him do this project,” he said proudly.
According to Richard, many veterans buried at Our Lady of Grace don’t have living or nearby loved ones who can replace the grave markers. Someone else needed to step in and do it, and he’s proud that “someone” was his son. Though Ryan grew up surrounded by the military, it was never taken for granted or assumed he would follow in his family’s footsteps. Still, he felt an overwhelming call to help.
Over the years, Richard instilled a sense of pride in Ryan and Dylan for not just the military, but the community. Since moving to the area in 2008, Richard has served as a member of the Lower Southampton Veterans Advisory Council and Jesse Soby Post. With every volunteer effort attended for both organizations, his boys were right by his side, watching and learning the massive impact just a few people can make.
For example, both he and Ryan were involved in Jesse Soby Post’s recent 99th annual Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade, with Richard part of the color guard and Ryan raising the American flag.
Though Ryan doesn’t have any more upcoming initiatives planned, he said he would readily do something like his Eagle Scout project again to honor local fallen heroes.
Like father, like son.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
