Eagles have been known to fly alone, but Dan Capone, David Chasmer, and Michael Palumbo are three "eagles" that have stuck together through more than 10 years of friendship.
Dan and David, 18, and Michael, 17, achieved the greatest honor bestowed on members of the Boys Scouts of America (BSA). Last Saturday, June 14, they were named Eagle Scouts of Troop 31, an honor that tested their strength, morals, and friendship.
"Dan and David were a year ahead of Mike," said Joe Chasmer, David’s father and Scoutmaster for Troop 31. "They could have gone ahead with becoming Eagle Scouts, but they decided to wait for Mike and do it together."
The boys, who live in Union City, were recognized for their achievements at the BSA Troop 31 National Eagle Court of Honor at the Bruce Walter Recreation Center in their hometown. Each newly named Eagle Scout was presented with a proclamation from the city of Union City, a plaque of recognition, and an American flag that had once flown over Capitol Hill. Also on display for others to see was a collection of congratulatory words from various celebrities and political figures including the New York Yankees, New Jersey Devils, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Gov. James McGreevey.
Troop 31 was re-established by Chasmer, who in his youth had been a Boy Scout in Troop 31. When his son, David, turned 6 years old in 1991, Chasmer wanted to involve his son in an organization that had done so much for him in his own youth.
"I wanted David to learn, as I had, how scouting could benefit life in general," said Chasmer. "I think that over the years we have presented an environment for [Dan, David, and Mike] to achieve in. We have brought people into the adult community that will be able to lead in a crisis or in good times. They are prepared for whatever they need to do."
While Mike did not join Troop 31 until 1993, and Dan until 1995, the years spent together on camping trips, attending summer camp, and giving back to the community bonded the three boys as friends, and propelled them to become Eagle Scouts, an honor rarely achieved by most youths involved in the Boy Scouts. Typically, only 4 percent of those ever involved with Boy Scouts stays involved to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
Natural habitats
Becoming an Eagle Scout was no easy feat for the three boys. In addition to earning a minimum of 21 badges for completing various tasks and learning and acquiring numerous skills, each boy was required to complete a community service project. For their community service project, each of the boys spent nights and weekends building birdhouses for Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and Osprey. With the help of younger Troop 31 Boy Scouts and donated materials, the boys were able to build almost 100 habitats that were then donated to the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission (HMDC) in Lyndhurst and placed throughout the HMDC’s Environmental Center.
"It took a lot of time and commitment," said Dan Capone, who will be attending Seton Hall in the fall. "But it was a huge accomplishment."
In addition to the community service projects, the overnight camping excursions in Indiana and Ohio, and the trips to summer camp, the boys all agree that the greatest thing Boy Scouts has given them has been the life lessons they will always carry with them.
"It has given me morals and skills that I can interpret into everyday life," said David, who will be attending Rutgers University in the fall and plans to study political science. "I have a sense of purpose and direction in my life. I want to take what I’ve learned and make something of myself."
Next on the agenda for the three friends is giving back to an organization that gave so much to them. All of them plan to attend training courses that will allow them to become Scoutmasters, or they will serve on a committee through the Boys Scouts of America.