The story is all too common: a historic cemetery overrun by weeds and the passage of time. This story, however, is not about a cemetery lost but rather a cemetery’s restoration at the hands of a young man showing respect to both his community and his heritage.

Adrian Dozal, a 16-year-old Boy Scout from Chandler, AZ, came across the Goodyear-Ocotillo Cemetery and its state of disrepair this past fall. The cemetery is the final resting place for more than 100 immigrant cotton workers during World War I. Since that time, new developments have moved in and essentially walled the cemetery in from view.“I feel connected to these people because my dad is an immigrant and my family is from Mexico,” said Dozal (Boy Scout).

Dozal has raised all the money for the cemetery restoration for supplies and has brought in other parents and his Boy Scout troop to help with the project. Before Dozal can earn his Eagle Scout award, he must present his project to his troop and council leadership. But Dozal has said that this project has been a life-changing experience.

For more on this story by Zahid Arab of KPHO/KTVK, click here.