Aiden Howard, Glenn Bera Jr. and Joseph Dubaldi achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. All three Scouts are members of Troop 28 in New WIndsor and attend Newburgh Free Academy together. The three young men started their scouting career in Cub Scouts and have continued with the organization since. Through their hard work and perseverance Aiden, Glenn and Joe have been a great example to all of their fellow scouts and an integral part of their community.  Becoming an Eagle Scout takes character, perseverance and grit. It takes earning 21 merit badges, holding numerous leadership positions and organizing a major service project to benefit a religious organization, a school or a community. Collectively, these three young men earned 109 merit badges during their Eagle Scout journey and all three completed service projects in their community to earn Eagle status. Of note, only 6% of Scouts attain the rank in a given year, the Boy Scouts of America reports. Troop 28 had four Scouts make Eagle this past year.
 
Aiden Howard
Aiden is the son of Edwin and Susan Howard of Newburgh. Aiden’s older brother Alex is also an Eagle Scout. Edwin Howard is Assistant Scoutmaster for the Troop.  Aiden is a Senior at Newburgh Free Academy.  He is Secretary for the Class of 2023 Student Council and a member of National Honor Society. He earned 41 merit badges, including the 14 merit badges required to become Eagle. For his Eagle Scout project, Aiden and his volunteers constructed numerous benches and picnic tables for the VFW to hold member events. Aiden plans to attend Marist College studying Environmental Science in the Fall. 

Joseph Dubaldi

Joe is the son of Pete and Lisa Dubaldi of Newburgh.  He is a Senior at Newburgh Free Academy where he completed the carpentry and electrical trade programs. Joe earned 34 merit badges during his scouting career, one of which was the Fire Safety Merit Badge. For his Eagle Project, Joe constructed a gaga ball pit at Chadwick Lake Park. The gaga ball pit has been enjoyed by many children who visit the park and will be enjoyed this summer by day campers. Joe is currently a probationary firefighter at Cronomer Valley Fire Department in Newburgh, where he is in firefighting training. He participates in drills and attends fire calls. He recently completed training for exterior firefighting at the Orange County Fire Training Center in New Hampton and will begin his training for interior firefighting. In his free time, he likes to golf and work out at the local gym to keep in top shape for firefighting. After graduation from NFA, Joe plans on attending Onondaga Community College in the fall for their bunk-in Fire Science Program. This program will provide Joe with the opportunity to receive volunteer, on-the-job training by providing daytime emergency response to the Onondaga Hill Fire Protection District and surrounding areas.

 Glenn Bera, Jr.
Glenn is the son of Glenn and Lynda Bera of Newburgh. Glenn Sr. is Scoutmaster for Troop 28. Like Aiden and Joe, Glenn is also a senior at Newburgh Free Academy. Glenn is a member of the high school Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and Madrigals.  He is also a member of Science Honor Society and National Honor Society.  In his free time he cultivates his passion for music at the School of Rock in Beacon. Glenn earned 34 merit badges, and his Eagle Project was at the New Windsor American Legion Post 1796. For his Eagle Project, Glenn coordinated and planned a pancake breakfast with a live musical performance in honor of local Veterans. He also collected non-perishable food donations to restock the New Windsor Food Pantry. Upon graduation he plans on attending college at SUNY New Paltz and pursuing a major in Psychology with a Minor in Music. 

BSA Troop 28 meets at King of Kings Church in New Windsor for regular meetings on Monday evenings.