Thirteen-year-old Sam Hagan never met his grandfather or his great-grandfather, but he’s heard stories of their time spent at war, so he’s building a monument to help others remember the brave men and women who fought for this country.

Sam is working to place a fallen soldier memorial in the corner of the VFW parking lot. The statue will stand 3 1/2 feet tall, weigh 150 pounds and will be made of solid bronze. The statue features a pair of boots with an army gun propped up out of them, a helmet at the top and a dog tag necklace hanging from the gun. The Fallen Soldier Warrior, designed by a veteran with the Large Art Company, was created to be life size.

The plan is to dedicate the finished monument on Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

Sam, a Boy Scout for eight years, needs to fulfill a leadership project to receive the rank of Eagle Scout. After speaking with the VFW about his idea for the monument, they agreed to let him put it in the parking lot. Sam currently ranks as a Life Scout and is the senior patrol leader in Boy Scout Troop 113.

Sam wanted to do something that would last many years, and he hopes the monument will help people remember loved ones. He got the idea for the Fallen Soldier Warrior monument after looking at different statues online.

The monument will cost about $6,000 and is coming from Maryland, where the Large Art Company is located. After years spent selling around $30,000 worth of Boy Scout popcorn, his father, Dennis Hagan, is confident in Sam’s fundraising skills.

Sam has presented to several organizations and has already started receiving donations. The American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans and the VFW all donated $1,000. The Austin Police Department, the Knights of Columbus and the DFW Women’s Auxiliary have also agreed to donate.

“We did not expect that; it was amazing,” Dennis said.

Besides collecting donations, Sam will have to collect supplies, dig 6 inches into the ground where the monument will go, install a weed barrier, and more. The base of the statue will be made from old bricks that will be taken from the VFW building during their current remodel.

The plants that will surround the monument include Green Midget Globe Evergreens and Dwarf Habit Golden Ruby Barberry bushes, provided by Berg’s Nursery at a discounted price. Sam is still in the process of talking with other organizations; he has already given a few speeches and is set to speak with more organizations soon.

Private donations are accepted, and can be donated to samman100@charter.net.