More Eagle Scouts Soar In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Chris Meehan, James Burmeo, Jack Murphy, Anthony Rocco, Andrew Spina, Dylan Brett, Michael Villanella, Rocco Gallara and Patrick Mundy have all become Eagle Scouts in Washington Township so far in June.

Six of the Scouts - Rocco, Spina, Brett, Villanella, Gallara and Mundy - became Eagles over the past weekend. Mundy is with Long Valley Boy Scout Troop 36, with the five other Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 236 and 436.

“Some towns are fortunate to recognize six Eagle Scouts in a year,” said Washington Township Mayor Matt Murello. “Washington Township recognized six more this past weekend and that’s because of the deep commitment our community has for scouting.”

The Washington Township Police Department, in addition to local, county and state officials when they’ve been available, have been at some of the ceremonies.

Over the weekend, Vice Mayor Bill Roehrich attended and presented proclamations to the newest scouts.

Meehan of Long Valley Boy Scout Troop 36 was the first to be recognized by Murello on June 12 for becoming an Eagle, with Murello, Sheriff James Gannon, Morris County Commissioner John Krickus, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn of Legislative Dist. 25 and Committeeman Tyler Oborn in attendance.

The day before Father’s Day on June 19, Murello was a part of celebrating James Burmeo of Long Valley’s Boy Scout Troop 236 reaching his Eagle Scout achievement, during a ceremony at St. Mark the Evangelist Church in Long Valley.

Burmeo’s project focused on refurbishing and adding a trail, with the proclamation for him stating, “His project made a big impact by opening a trail to Cataract Falls for residents to enjoy safely during the pandemic."

“James met with the Washington Township Committee and the Department of Public Works, enhancing the skills he has gained from scouting, such as leadership and communication,” Murello’s proclamation read.

A special sign on the trail shows Bermeo blazed and refurbished white, green and blue trails in July 2020.

Burmeo has been actively involved with Troop 236 since 2011 and has previously received the Arrow of Light Award. During his time with his Boy Scout Troop, he’s been a Quartermaster, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and Troop Guide.

He has been Order of the Arrow Representative to Woapalanne Lodge for his troop.

On Father’s Day, June 20, Jack Murphy of Boy Scout Troop 36, was honored for becoming another one of Long Valley’s Eagle Scouts.

Along with the many newly-awarded Eagle Scouts in Long Valley, Murello pointed out that he, Roehrich and Oborn are also Eagle Scouts themselves.

“I tell the scouts in town all the time that there isn’t another town in New Jersey that can say a majority of the elected officials are Eagle Scouts,” Murello said.

Editor's Note: This story has been corrected and updated to add in Troop 436, one of the three troops with new Eagle Scouts in Long Valley, along with Troops 36 and 236.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at jennifer.miller@patch.com.