Troop 152 celebrates three new Eagles
By Frances Ruth Harris
CHESTER — The Boy Scouts of America Troop 152 celebrated three new Eagles — Sean A. Campbell, Liam R. Murray and Austin C. Van Der Meulen — during a BSA Court of Honor held at the First Presbyterian Church of Chester in April.
Sean A. Campbell graduated from Burke Catholic High School with an advanced Regents Diploma. He is attending Adelphi University, where he plays basketball. He completed his Eagle Project in June 2017.
Liam R. Murray is a senior at Don Bosco Preparatory High School, a private Roman Catholic high school in Ramsey, N.J. Liam will attend the University of Rochester in the fall, majoring in engineering. He has committed to play football and was awarded a four-year ROTC Scholarship. Liam's Eagle Scout project was the construction of a flagpole and raised garden bed at the Orange County Sheriff's Office's new shooting range.
Austin Van Der Meulen graduated from the Chester Academy with a Regents Diploma. Austin attends SUNY Genesco as a math major. He completed his Eagle Project in June 2017. Austin has attended the First Presbyterian Church of Chester all his life. Many there remembered him as a child growing up, and said they just knew he would be an Eagle Scout.
Among notables speaking and awarding certificates during the induction were:
The Town of Chester's Chief of Police, Daniel Doellinger
Orange County Sheriff Carl E. DeBois — who also gave each of the three new Eagles a gold sheriff's star and a sharp salute
Orange County Legislator John Vero
Hon. Carol S. Klein of Orange County's Family Court
Ed Johnson of the American Legion Post 1167
Jerry Sutherland troop sponsor and charter representative for BSA Troop 157
Chester Town Judge James Islack
Many certificates arrived for the three new Eagles, including those from Congressman Pat Maloney and New York Senator Kristin Gillibrand.
Parents of the new Eagles carefully and proudly pinned their sons. The new Eagles also had pins for their parents.
Only five percent of all Boy Scouts ever reach Eagle status, so this is a very special honor.
After the induction, the scouts, dignitaries, and guests enjoyed refreshments.