Dedication Of Lodge Saturday Honors Scout Killed By Drunk Driver

BAITING HOLLOW, NY — After months of planning and fundraising, the Suffolk County Council of Boy Scouts will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday for the new McMorris Lodge at Baiting Hollow to honor Andrew McMorris, a Boy Scout from Wading River who died after a drunk driver plowed into his troop while they were out on a hike in 2018.

Last year, during an emotional day in court, members of Andrew's family spoke of their agonizing loss before Thomas Murphy, 61, of Holbrook, who was convicted by a jury of driving drunk and killing Andrew, received the maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.

Despite some delays due to the pandemic, fundraising events took place to help facilitate the completion of the McMorris Lodge; Saturday's ribbon-cutting will include a tour of the space.

"The lives of his family, friends, community, and fellow Scouters were forever changed by Andrew's loss," organizers of previous fundraising events said.

The McMorris Lodge, his family said, will be a place to honor Andrew's life and Scouting spirit along with serving Scouts for years to come with a space where they can grow, learn and have experiences that will enrich their lives.

Reflecting on Saturday's ribbon-cutting, Alisa and John McMorris, Andrew's parents, said: "We are honored and humbled by the Suffolk County Council of the Boy Scouts of America naming the lodge in Andrew’s memory. We are thrilled that this beautiful building will enrich the lives of scouts and keep Andrew’s spirit alive for generations to come. We greatly look forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremony and commemorating the McMorris Lodge and all those who donated their time, skills, and money into the planning and construction of this amazing facility."

She has also said, in past interviews: "Andrew loved being a Boy Scout, so the naming of the lodge has a deep and special meaning to all of us who loved him."

Andrew's parents added that work continues to create change. "We continue to move forward and parent Andrew’s legacy by turning our grief into action, which includes supporting bipartisan bills in Washington, including the U.S. Senate Ride Act s.1331 — reduce impaired driving for everyone — and U.S. House HALT Act h.2138, honoring the Abbas family legacy to terminate drunk driving."

Alisa and John said their family extends gratitude to everyone at the Suffolk County Council for the Boy Scouts of America as well as Troop 161 and the Shoreham Wading River and Riverhead communities "for their unending love and support as we continue to walk forward with our grief. We pray that through our work with the Andrew McMorris Foundation and Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD, that we can make a change by putting an end to drunk and impaired driving for everyone so that no one else has to endure the pain and loss we have gone through.”