Simon Sharp initiated the Celebration Veteran's Memorial as his Eagle Scout project and raised $15,000 while coordinating the initial design. After he was diagnosed with leukemia, he received his Eagle Scout Award fifteen months later, the day before he died. Before his death, he asked his friend and fellow Scout, Bredley Trowbridge, to continue the project. After Simon's death, Scouts, veterans, and patriotic citizens from across the United States donated generously so the memorial could be completed. He was posthumously presented the James B. West Award by the Boy Scouts of America for outstanding Eagle Scout projects, and the Celebration Veteran's Memorial was dedicated on November 15th, 2008.