The following was submitted by Rockville Centre resident Rob Finora:
Cub Scout Pack 31 of Rockville Centre celebrated Scouting Anniversary Week with the annual Blue & Gold Banquet on Feb. 10 at Central Synagogue.
The significance of the event is to thank Cub Scout families, leaders and other adults who have helped the Cub Scout Pack over the past 12 months. Trophies were also awarded at the Blue & Gold Banquet for winners of the annual Pinewood Derby, which was held earlier in the year.
The event's main purpose, however, is to honor and welcome the fifth-grade Cub Scouts, also known as "Webelos," to the official status of "Boy Scout" with the Arrow of Light award. This prestigious award is the highest and final award available to Cub Scouts.
Recipients this year include:
- Anthony Giangrerorio
- William Varney IV
- Jaques Charvet
- Kyle McLean
- James Berry
- Daniel Gilligan
- James Jacovetti
- Kevin Lynch
- Christopher Bellando
Next on the docket for these scouts is to strive for the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program called the Eagle Scout, which was introduced in 1911.
Ironically, the first recipient was Rockville Centre's own Arthur Rose Eldred, who was 17 years old at the time. Eldred was honored in Rockville Centre at the 100th anniversary of the Eagle Scout Award with a parade and ceremonies this past summer. Since then, more than 2 million young men have earned this prestigious honor including Neil Armstrong, Mayor Bloomberg and President Ford.
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Scouts of Pack 31 and their families have been active in many community programs this past year which included environmental clean-ups, Hurricane Sandy Relief initiatives and Food Drive events.
Please contact Diana Woram, Committee Chair for Pack 31, at mddk4w@gmail.com for more information on scouting or to join in Rockville Centre.
