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February - March 2017 February - March 2017 28 29 boatingonthehudson.com Find Us On Facebook at Boating On The Hudson
The Boy Scouts
of America are
alive and well!
Wayne Smith and his father Warren,
Scoutmaster of Troop 49 at Washington’s Tomb.
Warren Smith, age 53, has 43 scouts in his
Troop 49, Ossining, NY. When you speak with
Warrenyou feel the vibrationandenthusiasm
that he gives off! When describing his troop,
they’re accomplishments and many trips
that they have taken over the past few years
one trip stands out.
On a scout trip three years ago, Warren
took the troop to Mount Vernon, Virginia,
Washington’s home for many years.
One of the exhibits was of a painting
done by John Trumbull and given to the
Washington’s.
When Boy Scout James McCarthy, now
age 18, saw the painting he knew what his
Eagle Scout Project would be. He would
build a monument to George Washington in
Verplanck usingTrumbull’s painting showing
the spot where Washington reviewed the
Continental Army and French troops as they
marched together on the shoreline of the
Hudson River at Verplanck’s Point.
That idea and a trip to the newly built
Veterans Memorial Park at the foot of
Broadway in Verplanck developed the idea.
Dan McCarthy, Jimmy’s father, along with
his Dad’s friend Kenny Lewis, were very
supportive of the idea and suggested he
meet a local artist in Peekskill, Wilfredo
Morel. Wilfredo too was very supportive of
the idea and suggested a local artisan to help
with the bronze plaque.
As the project developed, it became
important to create a monument that would
withstand the elements and be a permanent
historical reference for our community. Many
people donated their time, resources and
energies to help Jimmy complete his project,
including Kenny Lewis, Glenn Griffin, Robert
Portal, Scoutmaster Warren Smith, and many
Scouts fromTroop 49.
Jimmy decided that he would use the
money he made from his summer job at the
Croton Sailing School as a Launch Operator
to pay for most of the cost of the monument.
With the three thousand dollars from his
summer job and another thousand from
donations, Jimmy, with the help of many
people, finished the monument in mid-
November, 2016, before his 18th birthday
and in time to achieve his Eagle Scout Award.
Jimmy McCarthy is a senior at Fordham
Prep. His goal is to select a college and study
business and economics, and later pursue a
career in business and finance.
Eagle Scout Jimmy McCarthy’s monument
at Verplanck’s Point is an outstanding
example of what can be done with an idea,
perseverance and dedication to that idea.
Good luck Jimmy with the rest of your life!
Jimmy McCarthy and the monument he built.
Boy Scout Troop 49 at Washington’s Tomb.
by
John H Vargo,
Publisher