By Andrew Hackmack
The boys are members of Troop 109, which has been sponsored by Grace United Methodist Church in Valley Stream for 81 years. The ceremony was held in the church's school gym.
Robert Sopp, of Malverne, became an Eagle Scout growing up and spoke about the rank. He said that only four percent of boys who joining scouting attain the honor. Sopp cited some notable men who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout including Gerald Ford, Neil Armstrong, Steven Spielberg, Henry Aaron, Ross Perot and Michael Bloomberg. "The Eagle Scout award represents many years of dedicated effort," Sopp said.
John Gherlone, chairman of the District Eagle Board, reviewed the achievements of each of the three boys and declared they had all met the requirements to become Eagle Scouts. Each had earned more than the necessary 21 merit badges, have all served in a leadership position for at least six months since attaining the rank of Life Scout, and have appeared before a board of review.
The three boys also had to complete a project before his 18th birthday in order to qualify for the rank of Eagle Scout. Englese constructed a sun shed at the Floyd Bennett Field campground which serves as a shelter for campers. Trimboli replaced a stockade fence around the courtyard of the convent at the Holy Name of Mary parish to provide privacy and security for the sisters. Abiuso removed a section of English Ivy at the Tanglewood Preserve. He replaced that invasive species with 100 blueberry bushes, which provide animals with food.
Local government officials and representatives from various organizations were on hand to share in the boys' accomplishment. Mayors Ed Cahill of Valley Stream and Patricia McDonald of Malverne presented each with a citation. Phil Traglia, of the Theodore Roosevelt Boy Scout Council handed each a certificate of achievement. Henry Coghlan and John Neenan presented each boy with a plaque and $50 on behalf of the New York Lodge No. 1 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. Robert Bogart, representing the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Eddie Allman, representing Nassau County, Sal Spinicchia of the Western Long Island Detachment Marine Corps League and Col. Joe Schroeder of the United States Volunteers of America also honored the new Eagle Scouts.
Roger Colena presented them with a flag that was recently flown in recognition of their scouting achievement before the United States Capitol. This honor was on behalf of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy.
Councilman James Darcy was on hand representing both the Town of Hempstead and State Sen. Dean Skelos. But mostly, Darcy said, he was there as a local resident to share in the fine accomplishment of the three young men. "Gentlemen, this is your day," he told the three new Eagle Scouts. "We are in awe of your achievements. We expect great things of you in the future."
Abiuso and Englese are both juniors at Valley Stream North High School. Trimboli is a junior at Chaminade High School. All three took the time to thank those who have supported them over the years.
"My parents were my first teachers, leading by example," Trimboli said. "It was with their help that I was able to attain Boy Scout's highest rank."
They made many sacrifices for him, spent countless hours driving him to scouting activities and always pushed him to meet his various deadlines. Even when it was tough and he wanted to quit, Trimboli said his mother and father wouldn't let him. "I guess parents do know what is best for their kids," he said, adding that the Eagle Scout award was just as much theirs as his.
Englese said he was inspired by his older brother, a devoted scout who became an Eagle Scout four years ago. He remembers his early days of scouting, when achieving such an honor himself seemed unattainable.
"As a Cub Scout," he said, "I remember always looking up to the Eagle Scouts of my troop, both figuratively and literally."
For Abiuso, Cub Scouts wasn't something he took too seriously. Early on, it was something he never did for the badges or the ranks, but rather for fun. However, when he reached Boy Scouts, he learned he could no longer just "coast through."
"Today, it is clear that all my hard work has paid off," Abiuso said. In his advice to those working toward the rank of Eagle Scout, he said never give up. "The trail may be arduous," he said, "but it makes success that much sweeter."
