2006.12.09: December 9, 2006: Headlines: COS - Cameroon: COS - South Africa: Obituaries: Norwich Bulletin: Boy Scout's efforts commemorate life of Cameroon RPCV Andrew Shippee
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2006.12.09: December 9, 2006: Headlines: COS - Cameroon: COS - South Africa: Obituaries: Norwich Bulletin: Boy Scout's efforts commemorate life of Cameroon RPCV Andrew Shippee
Boy Scout's efforts commemorate life of Cameroon RPCV Andrew Shippee
When Peace Corps volunteer Andrew Shippee was brutally murdered in July 1995 in Johannesburg, South Africa, hundreds of friends and residents visited his parents to offer condolences and remember his brief, but full, life. His parents, David and Leatrice Shippee of 911 Gibson Hill Road, insisted his memorial service not be a time of mourning, but one of sharing happy memories of their son's many accomplishments. Now, thanks to the effort of Boy Scout Ben Driscoll of Sterling, many more Sterling residents and passersby will get to share in Andrew's life when they relax at a small park Driscoll and 17 fellow Scouts have created. The Andrew Shippee Memorial Park has been created on a small patch of land alongside what is known locally as "Wacky Pond," a large inlet in the Moosup River that sits along the edge of Route 14, across from Main Street in the center of Sterling village.
Boy Scout's efforts commemorate life of Cameroon RPCV Andrew Shippee
Boy Scout's efforts commemorate life of fallen Peace Corps volunteer from Sterling
By DON BOND
For the Norwich Bulletin
Caption: Ben Driscoll, 16, right, a Life Scout in Troop 36 of Moosup, is earning his Eagle Scout award for creating the Andrew Shippee Memorial Park in Sterling in honor of the Sterling resident and Peace Corps volunteer who died in South Africa. With him are Andrew's parents, Dave and Leatrice Shippee, left, and Ben's father, Mike Driscoll. Photo: John Shishmanian/Norwich Bulletin
STERLING -- When Peace Corps volunteer Andrew Shippee was brutally murdered in July 1995 in Johannesburg, South Africa, hundreds of friends and residents visited his parents to offer condolences and remember his brief, but full, life.
His parents, David and Leatrice Shippee of 911 Gibson Hill Road, insisted his memorial service not be a time of mourning, but one of sharing happy memories of their son's many accomplishments.
Now, thanks to the effort of Boy Scout Ben Driscoll of Sterling, many more Sterling residents and passersby will get to share in Andrew's life when they relax at a small park Driscoll and 17 fellow Scouts have created.
The Andrew Shippee Memorial Park has been created on a small patch of land alongside what is known locally as "Wacky Pond," a large inlet in the Moosup River that sits along the edge of Route 14, across from Main Street in the center of Sterling village.
Lending a hand
Shippee, 28, also an Eagle Scout, had just completed a tour of duty with the Peace Corps in Doukoula, Cameroon, and was traveling through Africa, on his way home, when he was killed. He had spent two years in Cameroon teaching English, community gardening and giving courses on AIDS prevention to residents. With the help of students in the village, he also built a school to serve students living in the area.
Ekonk Grange member Anna Franklin said the memorial park is a unique way to remember Shippee.
"Andrew was a wonderful person and accomplished a lot in his short lifetime," Franklin said. "He deserves to be remembered in this way."
Driscoll, who holds the rank of Life Scout in Troop 36 of Moosup, created the project to earn Eagle Scout rank. He got the idea from Judy Lincoln, administrative assistant to the Sterling selectmen, who told Driscoll, 16, plans had been discussed for a memorial park for Shippee, but nothing had been pursued.
Driscoll and his fellow scouts put in 128 hours of work clearing brush, fixing stone walls and making other improvements at the site.
"We all spent a full day working at the park, and I spent more time working on my own," Driscoll said. He accounted for 63 hours of the total.
Although they have been stored for the winter and to avoid vandalism, picnic tables will be set up at the park next spring so families can gather for a meal and enjoy the scenic river during warmer weather. Driscoll said he plans to plant flowers around the park to help beautify the site.
Local businessman Kevin Jordan has volunteered to install a 6-foot granite bench at the park in the spring.
For his efforts, Driscoll was awarded the Ekonk Grange Community Service Award, which was presented in ceremonies Nov. 19 at the Grange hall.
"I think this is a wonderful way to remember Andy," Leatrice Shippee said. "He really loved his hometown and he loved doing things outdoors."
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Headlines: December, 2006; Peace Corps Cameroon; Directory of Cameroon RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Cameroon RPCVs; Peace Corps South Africa; Directory of South Africa RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for South Africa RPCVs; Obituaries
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Story Source: Norwich Bulletin
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Cameroon; COS - South Africa; Obituaries
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