Veterans Day is a time for the nation to recognize and express its gratitude to those who have served in the military. Many of them have sacrificed much in pursuit of their duty, but it’s important to remember that many of the members of military families also make sacrifices.

As a young boy, Scout James S. had a father who was deployed. It wasn’t an easy time for the young man, and to ease the difficulty and bring some happiness to his life, members of the 369th Sustainment Brigade Family Readiness Group provided James with a bicycle. The small gesture really did help James, and the power of that gift stuck with him.

Now, several years later, James, a Scout in the Boy Scouts of America Greater New York Councils, has focused his Eagle Scout project on supporting military families with the gift of bicycles. The opportunity to repay a kindness resonated with the Scout.

“I figured a way to make these kids smile is that I would give them a bike, just to make them have one good day instead of having bad days because they’re missing a parent,” James said.

Once he started on the plan, James worked diligently in fundraising and spreading the word. He was able to collect enough funds to purchase and assemble 50 bikes. He and several members of his Troop worked together to assemble the bicycles for the military families.

The bikes will be distributed to children at an upcoming holiday party.

“It makes me feel good,” James said. “But at the same time, you’re not giving them your parent back, and there’s nothing that can fill the void, so this is just a way for us to show our appreciation.”

To learn more about how James is providing bicycles to children in military families, be sure to read the full article on SILive.com.

To learn more about the positive impact that Scouting can have on young people like James, be sure to check out this article on the recent Tufts study, and watch this video: