Port Chester Boy Scout Troop 400 Celebrates 2 Years of Success

Two years ago, there were just six members of the newly-formed Port Chester Boy Scouts Troop 400. As members of the troop and their families gathered Thursday night to honor the scouts for moving up in rank, they also celebrated the success of the new — and growing — troop.

Scoutmaster Moe Acevedo says the troop based at the Carver Center in Port Chester now has 18 scouts and continues to grow. In February, the troop will also be celebrating the efforts of one of its members, A.J. Monis, who has completed the road to the coveted rank of Eagle Scout.

Acevedo said the combination of enthusiasm on the part of the scouts and their parents, with the assistance of volunteer adult scout leaders and the cooperation of the Carver Center has helped the new troop grow from the original base of just six members. A.J. Monis, the new Eagle Scout, who is an 18-year-old Westchester Community College student, said he also hopes to soon move on to be another adult volunteer leader for the troop.

"I have great leaders, great scouts and great parents," said Acevedo, whose son, Frankie, is a member of the troop. "If it weren't for them, we wouldn't be where we are today."

As the scouts gathered at the Carver Center to officially move up in the ranks of scouting and to receive merit badges they've earned by completing training programs and community service, they were also saluted by the Village of Port Chester. Mayor Dennis Pilla presented the scouts and their leaders with a proclomtion at declares today to be "Boy Scouts Troop 400 Day" in Port Chester.

"Scouting is very very important because it teaches our youth at a very young age about citizen participation and social responsibility," Pilla told the scouts and their parents. "We're all so very thankful and very proud of the community service and the example that you set ... You shine like a light though in inspiring and to motivate other kids and adults to be good citizens and to get involved and participate."

The ceremony saluted the following scouts for their efforts:

Scout Rank

- Derrrick Rodriguez

- Danen Rodriguez

- Jayson Tamayo

Tenderfoot

- Daniel Cabaliero

- Alfred Cordova

- Mario Flores

- Juan Garcia

- Bryan Rebeiro

- Eli Taylor-Lemire

Second Class

- Jodan Bellin

- William Brakewood

- Angel Garcia

- Felix Mira Rebeiro

- Ethan Tillison

First Class

- Frankie Acevedo

- Christopher Bolzan

- Andres Franco

- Giovanni Zanetti

The ceremony also saluted several adult leaders for their completion of training programs for adults.