A Williston Park Boy Scout honored five Wounded Warriors with a luncheon at the Williston Park Village Hall on Saturday, Sept. 7. Craig Vande Stouwe, 16, of Troop 200 an Eagle Scout candidate and a junior at Mineola High School, coordinated and planned the event.
Williston Park Mayor Paul Ehrbar and trustee William Carr, among others, honored Stouwe. The luncheon was the culmination of Vande Stouwe’s Eagle Scout Service Project to honor local wounded veterans for their service and to provide some help in their recovery.
In July 2012, Monsignor McDonald of St. Aidan’s Parish allowed Vande Stouwe to ask for contributions to support the project from the St. Aidan’s parishioners. He put together a memorable event for the wounded veterans, showcasing the depth of appreciation which the community feels for them.
Vande Stouwe worked closely with the Wounded Warriors Project to bring the veterans to the event. The soldiers in attendance are all veterans of the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
One veteran, Edil Carror, hopes to return to military service when he recovers from his injuries. His determination was shared by his 4 comrades who all expressed that they would return to active duty if they were physically able to do so.
Mayor Ehrbar presented the veterans with certificates of appreciation from the village and Vande Stouwe, on behalf of the people of Williston Park, presented each with a BSA Troop 200 messenger bag containing a commemorative plaque, a tablet computer and gift cards for groceries and movie tickets.
Remaining funds were donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.
