COMMUNITY NEWS

Troop 192 celebrates 80 years

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Brian Spickerman, 17, is involved with Bellmore Boy Scout Troop 192 because he likes taking on responsibilities as a senior patrol leader. Matt Montera, 15, said he enjoys learning new skills at scout meetings and events. For Frank Czarnecki, 16, troop trips and activities offer chances to spend time with his dad, Scoutmaster Richard Czarnecki.

Scouts like them have kept the troop alive and well for 80 years, making the group one of the oldest troops on Long Island.

Austin Cannon, a Bellmore native who became an Eagle Scout in 1959, is still involved with the troop. The primary reason that boys stay involved is simple, he said: Troop 192 helps young boys become well-rounded young men. 

“If the parent looks at their child and sees what they’re doing, they see a growth in that child,” Cannon said. “They learn how to put things together. That’s leadership, and that’s a big, big factor.” 

Generations of scouts reflected on the troop’s past when the group celebrated its 80th anniversary at the end of 2014. 

Troop 192 was founded in 1934, and Barry Waters became its first Eagle Scout in 1943. His father, Lester, was the troop’s scoutmaster when Cannon joined the organization in 1950. 

Cannon has fond memories of his scoutmaster. He recalled Waters as a strong, authoritative figure who was never domineering. He was a role model for Cannon, and later attended his wedding.

“He had a lot of dedicated men around him as well, and to me, that’s a hallmark of this troop and any successful Boy Scout troop,” Cannon said. “You have a cadre of dedicated adult leaders.” 

Richard Czarnecki, who has been Troop 192’s scoutmaster for the past two years, noted that the adult leaders encourage the boys to take charge. While scoutmasters, committee members and parents are available to guide scouts at meetings or through rank advancement, older scouts teach younger boys skills — and, in turn, become strong leaders. 

“The big thing is to have a boy-run troop,” Czarnecki said. “We’re here to help them, but they’re the ones who have to plan what we’re going to do throughout the year.” 

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