Troop 540 Scouts Jack Furmanek and Brian Phelan join the ranks of Eagle Scouts

MONROE — Brian Phelan and Jack Furmanek were honored last month during their Eagle Court of Honor at Museum Village in Monroe.
They have been active in scouting for about 10 years, beginning with Cub Scout Packs 440 and 488 in Monroe. They are currently both members of Boy Scout Troop 540 in Monroe and have been active in the troop for the past six years.
They have advanced through the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life to achieve Scouting’s highest rank: Eagle Scout. Only four percent of all active scouts in the U.S. achieve this high rank.
To achieve the rank of Eagle, Brian and Jack had to earn 13 Eagle Merit Badges and 21 Merit Badges in total, actively serve in the troop and hold positions of leadership, plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to a religious institution, school or their community, successfully complete a Scoutmaster Conference, Troop Board of Review and Eagle Board of Review.
Both are rising seniors at Monroe-Woodbury High School.

Brian Phelan’s service project

Brian completed his Eagle Scout Service Project in November 2014 at Museum Village. Its purpose was to fully replace the front entrance gates and fence to Museum Village.
In addition to removing the old fence and gates, a new fence and gates were built and installed and the entire expanse of fence and gates were painted.
Brian held the troop leadership positions of Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader and Librarian. He earned 29 merit badges, and most enjoyed Climbing, Chess, Swimming, Geo Caching and Camping. He was elevated to rank of Eagle Scout on April 8 2015.

Jack Furmanek’s service project

Jack completed his Eagle Scout Service Project in June 2015 also at Museum Village. Its purpose was to repair and repaint the exterior of the Broommaker Shop. Tall grass and bushes were cleared around the shop.
An old fence was removed. The exterior of the shop was scraped. A window screen frame was repaired, and the front windows were re-glazed. The exterior paneling, soffit and fascia, shop sign and windows were repainted. The front window sills and step were replace and painted as well.
Jack held the troop leadership positions of Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and Scribe. He also was inducted into the Order of the Arrow (OA) in 2014 and served as the Troop OA Representative. He earned 31 merit badges, and most enjoyed Game Design, Public Speaking, Swimming, Camping and Chess. Jack completed his Eagle Board of Review and was elevated to the rank of Eagle Scout on May 11, 2016.

Eagle Court of Honor

Their Eagle Court of Honor was held July 9 at Museum Village in Monroe. Participating in the ceremony were: Jon Hess, outgoing Scoutmaster of Troop 540; Ken Kohrs, Committee Member; Eagle Scout Michael Shea; Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Cristofor D’Amelio; scouts of Troop 540; Paul Campanella, Troop Representative to the troop sponsor, the Knights of Columbus, Council 2079, along with the Knights of Columbus Honor Guards S.K. Jerry Albertie, S.K. Tom Fallon and S.K. Jim Banville; Charles Pakula, representing area veteran’s groups; Assemblyman Karl Brabenec; and Deputy Orange County Sheriff Richard Weishaar.