General has local Boy Scout connection

Five Eagle Scouts promoted during ceremony DINGMANS FERRY — Those who were attendance at Troop 5 of Dingmans Ferry Eagle Court of Honor on Oct. 3, were treated to quite an event when Army Brigadier General Genaro Dellarocco attended. The troop was celebrating the promotion to Eagle for five boys from their troop, an event unheard of in Hudson Valley Council history. General Dellarocco was the main speaker at this very special day for Troop 5. Dellarocco is the uncle of one of the boys who received his Eagle rank, Michael Prignon. The family connection to Milford does not end there. He is the brother of Troop 5’s Eagle advisor Joy Prignon and the son of local Reverend Marilyn Herbert of Praise and Mercy Fellowship. Planning for the event was a big undertaking, Joy wanted to make sure General Dellarocco would be able to come. He is the Program Executive Officer, Missiles and Space, Redstone Arsenal, in Alabama. He is also the reason young Michael is involved in scouting. “He told me that scouting was a great thing for a boy to be involved in, and he is my big brother, so how could I refuse?” “Since Genaro has been involved since the beginning, I thought it was fitting for him to be here at this moment.” said Joy. Michael has been involved in scouting for many years, the crowning achievement being his Eagle rank. Matthew Fernandez, Michael Prignon, Kevin Bauer, Chad Feakins, and Ian Gokay were the boys who received their Eagle ranks. General Dellarocco spoke on the many requirements, 325 in all, that an Eagle scout has to conquer. “This Eagle Scout rank will open doors for these boys, doors that they are not even aware of.” The General went on to say that he never finished his path in scouting and wished he had. This sentiment was echoed by Pike Commissioner Forbes, and District Attorney Raymond Tomkin. The Eagle Scout Service project, which each boy did as part of their requirement is a big undertaking. Matthew Fernandez organized a painting crew and gave a new look for several rooms in a local day care facility. Michael Prignon and Kevin Bauer chose outdoor projects which involved cutting trees, cleaning debris, and building fences at a church. Chad Feakins painted several rooms of his fire house on Log Tavern road. Ian Gokay tackled a large project for Grey Towers in Milford. All of the local community benefits when the Eagle scout candidates come calling. General Dellarocco closed the ceremony by presenting each boy with a flag that was flown over the pentagon in their honor on Sept. 11, 2009. He spoke of the significance of this particular date as he was on his way to the Pentagon that day in 2001 and he saw the plane hit. It was a moving memory for all to hear. He proceeded to read the names of all the elected officials and the offices they represent to show that many, many government officials think that being promoted to Eagle Scout is a great accomplishment.