By Sallie Bachar
Catholic Herald correspondent

Scout troop honors slain students

MERRILL -- Tucked away on a hillside overlooking a small, peaceful pond, just north of Merrill, is a small granite stone that reads: "Dedicated To The Memory Of All Killed Thru School Violence."

The monument was a collaborative effort on the part of Eugene "Skip" Schulz, Boy Scout Troop 304 from St. Francis Xavier Parish, and Kevin Koss, owner of Merrill Monument Company.

Schulz, the troop leader, tries to encourage the boys "to give just a little more" to help someone else. Each group of Scouts under his leadership works on a project to benefit others. "I try to pick something that the boys can take and carry on to later life," he said.

At the time of the Columbine school tragedy, Schulz asked the troop to think of something they could do for those students who lost their lives. One of the Scouts suggested a "marker" and that started the wheels turning.

Schulz then contacted Koss, a former Eagle Scout from his troop, to see if he could get a small granite marker that could be erected as a monument, not only to the Columbine students, but for all children who have lost their lives through violence in the schools.

Koss found a bigger piece of granite than Schulz had envisioned which he donated to the project along with the engraving. The monument was erected last fall and is located in the Nels P. Evjue Memorial School Forest where it serves as a perpetual reminder to all the Merrill area school students who use the forest. Troop 304 also planted over 30 red pine seedlings in the area surrounding the marker that will remain as a living tribute.

Said Schulz, "The purpose of the Samoset Council of Boy Scouts is to serve youth and the school forest has served many throughout the years." It seemed the logical place for the marker he said.

Schulz has dedicated most of his adult life to Scouting and many of the boys in his troop are the sons of the boys he directed in his early years. He has received many Scouting awards, and under his leadership, 31 boys have attained the status of Eagle Scout.

Originally the athletic director for St. Francis Xavier, a position he held for 21 years, he fell into Scouting quite by accident. When he was told 35 years ago that the Scouts would no longer have a troop because their leader had left, Schulz replied, "Tell the boys to come and I will take care of them until I find one."

"Nobody told me it was for good," he said.

In addition to Scouting and coaching, Schulz has been an active member of St. Francis Xavier all of his life, first as an altar boy, then serving as a member of the parish council for several different terms, chairman of the cemetery association and head of various fund-raisers and committees.

At 83, he continues to minister as an usher and remains a very familiar face in the community as well, still helping out with Scouting and coaching.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2001