SALT LAKE CITY -- A Boy Scout in Salt Lake City is trying to honor a fallen solider in a unique way.
The teenager wants to rename a local elementary school after an Army Sergeant who died protecting his unit.
Erick Olivas, 17, wanted to honor a local solider for his Eagle Scout project. As he started the looking into the project, he heard about a fallen solider who once lived in his neighborhood, named Rocky Herrera.
"Rocky Herrera was a Sergeant. He fought in the Afghanistan war and he was killed in 2007," Olivas said.
Herrera died a hero, after he and two other soldiers diverted a suicide bomber away from his platoon.
"He saved a lot of lives," said Elaine Herrera, Rocky Herrera's mother.
Olivas wanted to tell Herrera's mother in person about his plans to convince the school board to change the name of Parkview Elementary School to Rocky Herrera Elementary School.
"Looking at all these posters and stuff makes me think of all the accomplishments that Rocky Herrera had. And all his family being here, it gets to me," Olivas said.
Olivas pointed out to the school board that right now the school's name doesn't hold much significance. However, if it took on the name of a soldier, it would have an interesting story that could be told again and again.
"I think it would be a great inspiration for me and my family and for all of those who follow behind us," Elaine Herrera said.
Olivas presented his idea to the local communities councils and is now waiting on a community committee to come up with a formal plan to change the name. The school board is expected to weigh in on that before the next school year.
