The Museum of American Armor at Old Bethpage Village Restoration has awarded over $10,000 in scholarships to scouts throughout Nassau County who participated in the museum’s Heritage Essay program in cooperation with Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and the Theodore Roosevelt Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Presented with a first place scholarship award of $5,000 was scout Christian Capobianco of Farmingdale.
Scouts were challenged to write essays regarding the veterans in their own families as part of a museum program designed to create a better appreciation of the heroes within our own homes and the personal sacrifices required to protect our freedoms.
The Council serves thousands of youngsters throughout Nassau County, and the museum challenged the scouts to write and submit an essay that relates to the military experiences of members of their own families, neighbors or members of their local veterans organization. Three winners were selected from the entries received.
Museum president and founder, Lawrence Kadish was proud to present the awards.
“The Boy Scouts have a nearly century old tradition of providing educational programs for boys and young men for the purpose of building character and to provide them with the foundation to be a full, participating partner in our democracy. What better way to assist that goal than to present the means of reflecting on those who have defended our nation and those Americans who continue to do so,” he said.
Mangano, a 2014 honoree of the Theodore Roosevelt Council of the Boy Scouts of America, endorsed the effort. He said: “The Museum of American Armor has already become a powerful destination that honors those who have worn the uniform of our country’s military. Equally important, it has become a compelling educational center that presents a new generation of Americans with a much needed history lesson. I am delighted with this emerging partnership between the Scouts and the armor museum.”
Eileen Daly Sapraicone, Esq., the museum’s pro bono counsel stated: “As one of those who was asked to judge the essays submitted by numerous scouts from across Nassau County, I can report that it was one of the toughest assignments I have ever received. Some were prepared by computer. Others were hand written. Some were sent in by email and others were sent by certified mail. But all of them were award winners as they showcased the military service of Americans who only wanted to get the job done of defending our nation so that they could go home to their families.
“It was extremely difficult to decide who would be selected for what category because each one was written from the heart. Each one revealed a personal pathway of discovery. And each one deserves to be acknowledged and rewarded,” she observed.
Jay Garee, Scout Executive for the Theodore Roosevelt Council, stated: “We are honored to participate in this program and envision this being the first in a series of exciting opportunities for both our scouts and the museum. There is no question that the Museum has quickly become an important educational resource for every visitor, and our scouts can play an important role in contributing to that goal.”
