In honor of Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, Boy Scout Troop 75, which is chartered to VFW Nissequogue Post 5796 of Kings Park, marched in Kings Park's Veterans Day parade and participated in the memorial wreath laying ceremony that followed at the Veterans Plaza adjacent to the Kings Park library. Star Scout Daniel O. led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Life Scouts Kyle K. and Richard L. presented a wreath on behalf of Troop 75. Tenderfoot Scout Alex J., Second Class Scout Jonny F., and First Class Scout Thomas L. helped the post's Ladies Auxiliary clean up after the hot dog lunch they serve annually to the community at the VFW Hall following the parade and ceremony.

After lunch, Troop 75 led a scouting good turn in which it was joined by Tiger, Cub, and Webelos Scouts from Cub Scout Packs 75, 379, and 539, all of Kings Park, for a litter patrol of the Kings Park Bike-Hike Trail, which begins around the corner from the VFW Hall and continues for about a mile and a half to the Tiffany Field soccer complex at Nissequogue River State Park. The group of approximately thirty Scouts, who ranged in age from seven through seventeen, and numerous family members, managed to remove at least a half dozen bags full of garbage and a shopping cart from the generally well kept trail. One bright seven year old Tiger Cub remarked that if everyone just helps out a little bit, we can make the world a better place. With an enthusiastic response to its first effort at organizing a community-wide scouting good turn in honor of Veterans Day, Troop 75 plans to lead a similar effort next year as well. Citizenship and community service are central to Boy Scouting. Troop 75 offers a diverse program to its Scouts that also emphasizes outdoor skills as well as character development and leadership training. The troop, which was founded in 1916 as the first Boy Scout troop in Kings Park, meets Tuesday evenings at the Lucien Memorial United Methodist Church in Kings Park.