by Mike Matzinger
An Eagle Scout service project is helping lead the way in restoring and honoring long-overlooked burial sites at Rosemary Cemetery in Naples, Florida.
The initiative, known as “Project Reverence,” was launched after a local Scout, Jonathan Rodriguez, worked with county leaders to raise awareness of segregated and previously unmarked sections of the historic cemetery. What began as a service project has grown into a broader public-private partnership involving county commissioners, the museum director, and the Historical Archaeological Review Board, with the NAACP pledging financial support.
County leaders described the effort as a meaningful example of civic engagement, sparked by a Scout’s commitment to service. It reflects how an Eagle Scout service project can extend beyond a single requirement, creating lasting community impact and strengthening partnerships to preserve local history.