Three Marlboro Boy Scouts from Troop 72 – Joseph Desole, Ian McNamara and Benjamin Gephard - were honored recently for reaching scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout. A special Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held at a newly built gazebo at the town park that was Scout Desole’s project.

Town Supervisor Al Lanzetta gave Pride of Marlborough commendations to each of the scouts, which was signed by all five members of the Town Board.

Mike Anagnostakis, Senior Advisor to State Senator James Skoufis [D-39] presented each Eagle Scout with a NYS Citation from the New York State Senate. He said if people knew the hundreds of hours and the effort that these young men put into their projects, they would know, “that the future of our country is in great hands.”

Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson [D-104] said these three young men, “have shown commitment and perseverance that is going to show you can do anything you want,” to do in life. He handed each Eagle Scout a Certificate of Merit from the NYS Assembly.

John Pasqualicchio, Senior Warden of the Adonai Masonic Lodge #718 in Highland, gave each scout a commendation attesting to their dedication to scouting and their achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

Joseph Desole built a 16 foot wide gazebo that is perched above Round Pond at the Cluett Schantz Park. He dedicated his project in memory of Karen Lobdell West, the mother of a fellow scout. The project took about 200 hours to build and involved 5 adult and 4 scout volunteers.

Desole thanked his father Joseph, Mark McNamara and Mike West and a few of his fellow scouts.

“I would never have been able to do it without the help of everybody who encouraged me or donated money for the materials or donated their time to help me build the gazebo; words can’t express my gratitude to all the people.”

Benjamin Gephard did landscaping at Christ Church in Marlboro for his Eagle Scout project. He laid down river rounds around the north and east sides of the church and black mulch around all of the plants. The memorial garden got a face-lift with the removal of the old bushes that were replaced with boxwoods and new mulch. The large bushes were trimmed and a broken sign by the road was removed. There were a total of 15 volunteers, with 6 Boy Scouts, 1 additional youth, 4 adult Boy Scouts, 3 other adults and himself and took about 120 hours to complete.

Gephard started in cub scouting as a young boy and went up to the age of 18 as a Freshman in college.

“I’ve done it all; it’s been a long journey,” he said. “I especially want to thank my Mon and Dad. You guys did push me and made it a lot better by pushing me. I always wanted to be an Eagle Scout, I did it, I made it.”

Ian McNamara spruced up the Milton-Marlboro United Methodist Church, starting by removing years of growth, including two rotting trees, each nearly 4 feet thick, that were laying across gravestones.

“It was very well planned and it couldn’t have gone better, I’m very fortunate about that,” he said. “I want to thank my parents, honestly, they’re great.”

Scoutmaster Mark Ciaglia said his scouts do not look for excuses but complete any task that is put before them. He urged his troop to, “be the person that makes things happen and be someone who can turn a thought into action and the person who gets things done. These scouts and all the other scouts of troop 72, they are the people who get things done; this is a good and it’s awesome.”

Mark McCumber said Eagle Scouts are marked individuals.

“People will follow the example you set. Give up anything before you give up your reputation and good name,” he said. “May the light of the Eagle Badge remind you of honor and now as a leader, be loyal to those below you. Treat them as you would want to be treated.”

Desole’s father Joseph said, “I’m real proud of him and I knew he would get it done but the last six months was a struggle.”

Erin Gephard said her son Benjamin, “has worked so hard and he absolutely loves scouting. It’s been such a great journey for him and this has been a day that we were looking forward to.”

Benjamin is attending SUNY ESF in Syracuse studying environmental science and forestry.

Kathy McNamara, said in the beginning scouting was something shared between her son Ian and his father Mark, “but as Ian got older you’re sucked in. Then it gets to the Eagle Scout part and you’re just so proud of him that he actually persevered and stuck with it.”

Kathy recalls pushing her son to get it all done before his 18th birthday.

“At the end it is a family affair because you don’t have a choice. You have to push them and they want it but they have no idea how to get it together,” she said. “But from the get-go he always wanted to go for Eagle Scout. My husband said OK, whatever we have to do to get you there, we’ll do it.”

Mark McNamara said the journey to Eagle Scout was, “very educational and it’s an honor to be part of the whole Boy Scout organization.” He helped his son with his project and thanked all of the people who assisted; “I’m just really proud of him and all the boys who have come this far.”