Area High School Students Need Help Completing Project

Two Reitz high school seniors are turning a personal tragedy into a school project. 40 year old Brock Babb was killed a year ago while serving in Iraq. Now his son and a classmate want to honor all fallen soldiers. When Tanner Babb and Conner Houchins were deciding what to do for their required senior project, they wanted to make an impact. They decided to honor one of their heroes and others like him who also learned there at Reitz High School. Walking down the halls at Reitz High School youll notice many different memorials for American heroes - including alumni who died while fighting in world war two. But Tanner Babb and Conner Houchins say those who gave their lives in war need more recognition than this piece of wood. "Its not that big a thing and I think its a big deal," says Houchins. As part of their senior project theyre going to expand on the plaque. "Were going to do a memorial for all wars past world war two." The idea came about after both boys lost someone very special to them. Tanners father and Conners coach Brock Babb died last year in Iraq. "We wanted something that would last," says Tanner. Babb graduated from Reitz and also coached at the school. "We thought about him when we were doing this," says Houchins. The boys have a lot of the project completed. "We got enough money to get two benches and a headstone were going to put all the names on one side and flag and saying on the other," says Tanner.. But still have more work to go. They need to find the names of alumni who died in the Korean War. Once they get those theyll start building the monument right outside the gym doors so everyone will remember all the heroes who gave their lives and learned in the same school. The students say they have some names of Korean War veterans who lost their lives, but they still need more. They also could use some more money for landscaping. If you have any information about the alumni who died while serving or would like to help can contact Babb and Houchins advisor on this project. His name is Jon Carl and you can email him at jdcalr@evsc.k12.in.us.