by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
The scene on Saturday morning couldn’t have been more classically American if Norman Rockwell had painted it himself.
Under a clear blue sky, members of the community gathered to sit in several neat rows of folding chairs on the green front lawn of the Wetherhill historic site. The mayor spoke about community, and a Boy Scout color guard raised the Stars and Stripes.
It was Flag Day, which marks the adoption of Old Glory by the second Continental Congress in 1777. But that wasn’t the only reason for the event, though. The people were there to mark the accomplishment of one of those Boy Scouts who helped raise the flag, and dedicate his gift to the community.
Dan Desranleau, a 10th-grade student at South Brunswick High School, has been a Boy Scout since 2003, and his goal of becoming and Eagle Scout is about to be realized, after Saturday’s dedication of his Eagle Scout project. The young man planned and, with some of his fellow Scouts from Troop 888, erected the flagpole used at the ceremony.
”For an Eagle Scout project, you have to do something that shows leadership and benefits the community,” Dan said. “I thought that putting a flagpole in front of a historic house would be very patriotic.”
The Wetherhill site is a renovated farmhouse, circa 1830, that sits on 3 acres at 269 Georges Road in Dayton.
Dan began planning the project a year ago. He and his fellow troop members did the construction work on weekends over a two-month period. He was able to purchase the materials with money donated by local businesses and organizations, including the Dayton Village Citizens Coalition, The Goddard School and GDS Inc.
Mayor Frank Gambatese praised the Scout and his project.
”This project is perfect for this setting. I am amazed at this, and every Eagle Scout project,” Mayor Gambatese said. “It will last forever, and it will always be Dan’s project.”
Troop 888 has been in existence for five-and-one-half years, and has already had nine of its Scouts attain the Eagle rank, Scoutmaster Frank Gramieri said. In that time the troop has grown from eight members to more than 50.
”Whenever we do something like this we want to make sure that Scouting is promoted,” Mr. Gramieri said.
He said the Scouts play a vital role in the community, and that the public service projects they do wouldn’t get done otherwise.
Dan’s mother, Nancy Campanella, said she is proud of her son, and that she is grateful for the other parents who dedicate their time to his troop as well.
”This group has the best adult leadership,” she said. “Now I hope that the rest of the kids start getting their Eagle.”