Oklahoma Teen Fixes Up Tulsa 9/11 Memorial As Eagle Scout Project

A Green Country scout vowed to never forget September 11, 2001. He drafted help and spent days refurbishing one of Tulsa's most visible 9/11 memorials.

Jason Smith showed off his handiwork Wednesday.

"I live about five minutes from here, and I drive by it every day," Smith said.

It's the September 11th memorial area on I-244, just east of the Memorial Drive overpass. It was put in, in April 2002, by Up with Trees, and dozens of community and corporate volunteers.

Smith selected it as his Eagle project, because he thought it needed a little work.

"Jason saw something that needed something and he wanted to help," said Steve Grantham, with Up With Trees.

They'd lost their corporate partner for the memorial site, so were delighted when Smith stepped up.

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He planned the work and organized the volunteers.

"We had different people from the troop and a lot of volunteers from Up With Trees," Smith said.

It took four full workdays. They mulched and painted and removed overgrown vegetation. They repaired and reassembled stonework that had been damaged over the years.

Jason and his volunteers got the place looking good as new, except there are no lights.

"This electric line right here goes to the sign on the eastbound side, then across to the westbound side," Smith said.

Apparently, it was cut during some road construction and never repaired. Most frustrating, Smith said, is the flag can't fly 24/7, as intended, because it can't be lit.

"The sign says, 'In remembrance of September 11, 2001," Smith said.

Smith's Eagle project is completed and everyone is thrilled with the result. He'll get his Eagle Scout award; he just wishes he could get the lights turned on.

We contacted PSO, which referred us to the City of Tulsa. The city says the memorial sits on ODOT's right-of-way, so they may be responsible for the power. We'll keep digging and let you know what we find out.