'Heartfelt' Dedication Of Lodge To Scout Killed By Drunk Driver

BAITING HOLLOW, NY — From the deepest of heartbreak, new hope dawned Saturday at a ceremony to dedicate the McMorris Lodge at the Baiting Hollow Scout Camp in memory of Andrew McMorris, 12, 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.

In the months and years that have followed, the community has wrapped arms and hearts around the McMorris family, including Andrew's parents John and Alisa, and his sister Arianna. And they showed up in force Saturday for the emotional dedication, a testament to Andrew's legacy and bright spirit.

Carter Rubin, who won "The Voice" in December and who was a close friend of Andrew's, sang at the service both alone and with Ariana in heartfelt performances.

John McMorris, Andrew's father, spoke: "We are in awe of this gorgeous building and humbled by the Scouts who came today in his honor. I'm sure he's smiling from heaven right now seeing this building and knowing it will serve his fellow Scouts for so many generations to come."

Memories of Andrew were placed not just in the building's foundation but inside the lodge, including his aviator sunglasses, a model airplane to represent his love of flying, Scouting badges, and a paintbrush, "so his spirit can live inside this beautiful lodge forever," John said.

John thanked the many, including members of Boy Scout Troop 161, Andrew's troop, who "built this lodge with such profound care and love" and for the many who donated funds, time, and resources to turn a vision into reality.

But while the lodge elicits joy, John said he, Alisa and Arianna, as well as the many who loved Andrew, remain "incredibly sad and broken-hearted because our lively and kind-hearted son could still be here today, living his life to the fullest, as any 15-year-old would. Andrew was so full of life. He never wasted a moment. There was no question he would have become an Eagle Scout and an airline pilot; he was so passionate and driven. But his life was taken away in a flash."

He added that his family, their Boy Scout troop, and the community will never be the same "without Andrew here by our sides." The mission, he said, is to ensure what happened to his son does not happen to anyone else. "Life is fragile, and drinking and driving is deadly — and 100 percent preventable. If you drink, never drive. Call a cab. Call a friend. Make a plan for a sober driver to get you home."

Also in Andrew's spirit, John asked those in attendance to be kind to one another. "Leave the place where you go better than when you arrived. Do a good turn daily. Fly high, Andrew," his father said.

Suffolk County Council of Boy Scouts President David Hunt spoke about the camp, which opened in 1926. "This lodge speaks to Andrew's spirit," he said. "I believe Andrew's passion and zest for life are imbued in this lodge."

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone also spoke and said Andrew was a "renaissance" person, "the kind of person who made people around him better. He inspired them. It's fitting that this lodge will inspire future generations."

Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini said although connected by unspeakable tragedy, all who were touched by Andrew's life are better people as a result. "If you are looking for a way to truly honor Andrew, make the simple decision not to drink and drive. That is the best way you can honor Andrew and so many others taken from us as a result of drunk and drugged driving."

Brookhaven Town Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro said June 12, 2021 was declared "McMorris Lodge Day" townwide, to keep Andrew's legacy alive forever. "To watch people in unimaginable pain and devastation turn it into hope is something truly inspiring," he said.

New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio said she has camped at Baiting Hollow many times. "I know the howling of the winds and the dancing of the flames in this fireplace will bring so much inspiration to every troop member that spends the night here." She also spoke of the "heartfelt" meaning in the lodge's being named for Andrew. "This lodge will be here for years to come and the memory of Andrew will always be here," he said.

Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar said Andrew gave more in his 12 short years than many do in a lifetime. To Arianna, she said she knows "full well what it is, to lose a sibling." Aguiar also encouraged others to live in the light of Andrew's memory. "Pursue your passions and always reach for the stars." She also said the event was by far the most "heartfelt" she had ever attended.

Alisa McMorris, Andrew's mother, said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. "This lodge is a perfect representation of what it takes to rebuild our lives," shattered after their boy's death.

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."

The technology exists today to detect drunk or impaired drivers before they set off in a vehicle, and Alisa urged people to contact lawmakers to support passage of the bills. "This legislation has the potential to eliminate drunk driving for good," she said. "Help us to turn grief into action and make meaningful change," she said.

Tears flowed as Carter Rubin sang with Arianna and again, alone — and as Thomas Higgins sang words from "In Case You Don't Live Forever," including, "I'm everything I am, because of you."

Carter ended the heartfelt and emotional ceremony with his own original song, "Up From Here": "As long as we go down together, we can make it up from here," he sang.

"I know my sweet boy is watching," Alisa said. "I know I will see him again and I will make meaningful change in his memory."

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 included a tour of the space.