The Troop 45 tradition grows

WARWICK — On Sunday, June 7, Warwick's Boy Scouts of America Troop 45 advanced six more of its members to the rank of Eagle, raising the Troop's total of Eagle Scouts to 104 since it was first organized in 1960.

The statistics are remarkable since less than four percent of all scouts attain this rank, the highest one awarded in scouting.

Troop 45 presented the awards at an "Eagle Court of Honor" for Matthew Barker, Bryan Currao, Evan Floreck, Robert Hunter III, Michael Lynch and Ryan Walter.

The event was held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, which sponsors Troop 45. Admissions Committee Chairman Steve Kent served as emcee.

State, county, town and village officials along with representatives of many local organizations were among those attending the Eagle Court.

Community service projectsTo achieve the Eagle Rank, the scouts were required to complete a minimum of 21 Merit Badges, have Leadership roles in and outside of the troop and participate in community service. Each candidate must also complete a major community service project as the last requirement before attaining the Eagle rank.

Matthew Barker produced a Drug/Alcohol PSA video for the Warwick Valley Drug and Alcohol Coalition.

Funded and sponsored by the Warwick Youth Lacrosse League, Bryan Currao coordinated with the Warwick Town Engineer, Town Parks Department and others to design and construct a lacrosse practice wall.

Evan Floreck made leg and arm splints for the Mt. Peter Ski Patrol, a volunteer based organization.

The Mt. Peter Ski Patrol also benefited from two rescue carts, used to transport injured skiers, and a shed to house them constructed by Robert Hunter III.

Michael Lynch designed and completed a multi-faceted awareness project for the organization Parents Run- AMOC (Autism Move-A-Thon of Orange County)

Ryan Walter, a certified archery instructor, enlisted the help of fellow scouts, parents, friends and community volunteers to construct a new archery range for the Sussex County YMCA.