Honor Eagle Scout Achievement

April 29, 2018, at the Middle Island Fire Department, Middle Island, New York; and WHEREAS, John Patrick Ewald is a member of Boy Scouts of America Troop 433 of Middle Island, New York; and WHEREAS, America has achieved her greatest heights of glory through the dedication, determination and tireless efforts of the outstanding citizens of this Nation; and WHEREAS, It is only with the continued diligence and devotion of our youth, tomorrow's leaders, that America will maintain her glory; and WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America and its members are dedicated to the development of character and leadership in the youth of this Nation; and WHEREAS, The highest achievement of leadership in Scouting, earned by only four percent of all Boy Scouts, is the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout; and WHEREAS, This outstanding young man has been involved in Scouting for many years, has lived up to Scouting's ideals and has attained all of the necessary achievements, including completion of a community service project, which was successfully planned, developed and executed; and WHEREAS, John Patrick Ewald's project benefitted the Swezey Avey House in Yaphank, New York; the house and property sits next to the Yaphank Lake, and was once used as a mill; a few years ago the town dredged the lake and found logs from this mill and gave them to the Yaphank Historical Society to put on display for the public; the President of the Historical Society, Robert Kessler, told John the story and suggested he build a proper display for the logs; and WHEREAS, John Patrick Ewald, with the help of many scouts, friends, and family members, made three concrete curbs in a row about 10 feet apart parallel to each other; under his direction the group needed to rent a concrete mixer, build forms, level the forms, and place rebar for the appropriate strength to have five big logs sit on top; they then built a two rail fence they painted white around the forms with a gate and placed a natural mulch bedding around the forms; in the end, the President used his forklift to place the logs in the brand new display for the community to appreciate and enjoy; and WHEREAS, John Patrick Ewald's perseverance in rising through the ranks to Eagle Scout is a strong indication of his ability to master difficult tasks; his accomplishment will enable him to emerge as a leader, fully equipped to meet the challenges of today's complex society; and WHEREAS, This new Eagle Scout is a credit to his family, his school, his community, his State and his Nation, and no doubt his future will be filled with accomplishments of equal importance; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations, in recognition of the significance of this meritorious achievement, to congratulate and honor John Patrick Ewald on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to John Patrick Ewald.