Boy Scout Organizes “Operation Cannon Restoration” for Eagle Scout Project

Residents may have noticed that the cannon on Bay State Road across from American Legion Post 302 has been missing and construction work has been going on at the island where the cannon usually sits. The cannon isn’t missing; it’s been moved, temporarily.

A Boy Scout from Troop 13, Daniel Furze, has made it his Eagle Scout project to refurbish the cannon. Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouts and in order to achieve it, a Boy Scout must perform a community service project. Furze has been involved in Scouting since he was 10 years old. Furze, a student at D-R High School, coordinated with the American Legion Post 302, the Rehoboth Police Department, the Rehoboth Highway Department and J & J Materials to organize the project. J & J Materials carefully removed the cannon from the intersection on to a flatbed tractor trailer and hauled it a climate controlled environment. Furze plans to clean, de-rust and paint the cannon before it is returned to its location in front of Legion hall. “I think this is a beautiful project,” said Veterans’ Services Officer John “Jake” Kramer.

Furze decided to refurbish the cannon after talking to a Legion member during the Legion’s annual ceremony for disposal of unserviceable flags in June, which the Scouts took part in. He heard that the cannon was in desperate need of repair and repainting and thought it would be a good Eagle Scout project. Furze, son of Steve and Jayne Furze, wanted to preserve the cannon for the veterans and the community. “I liked being able to bring people together to complete a common goal for good,” Furze said.

Furze’s project not only honors the veterans and history of the cannon, but he jump-started a multi-agency effort to improve the town landmark. Ken Abrams from the American Legion suggested that while Furze was working on the cannon, they should work with the town to replace the foundation that the cannon rests on. “Costello (the town’s new Highway Superintendent) said the town would help and they did more than I expected. We also had outstanding help from the Police Department,” Kramer said.

Excavation work was completed in early December and then new concrete was poured shortly thereafter. “He (Furze) was the key. It was his inspiration. He set off a chain reaction that enhanced the beautification of the island,” Kramer said. Furze expects the work on the cannon to be completed within a month depending on weather and the volunteers’ schedules. “I’d say we are on the right track,” Furze said.

Furze will take part in an Eagle Scout Award Ceremony next spring with three of his close friends who are also in Troop 13.