Brendan Hallinan, of Greenwood Lake Boy Scout Troop 477, received his Eagle Scout rank at a ceremony on Sat., Jul. 21 at Grace Lutheran Church in Greenwood Lake. For his Eagle project Brendan made a portable Gaga pit for the Greenwood Lake Youth Center.

    Gaga is a form of dodgeball that originated in Israel in the 1970s and spread when Israeli counselors brought the game to summer camps around the world. Gaga is an excellent youth activity. Players start in an octagon shaped “pit,” hitting and rolling the ball with their hand to eliminate other players.

     Many dignitaries were on hand to present various awards including: Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton who read a proclamation, District 8 Legislator Barry Cheney who presented a Distinguished Service Award, Greenwood Lake Deputy Mayor Kelli Kelm who presented a Certificate of Recognition, Warwick VFW 4662 Commander Dan Burger who presented the Clayton Eurich Eagle Scout Award, the Greenwood Lake Gaelic Cultural Society and Project Children founder Denis Mulcahy who presented a Certificate of Accomplishment, Greenwood Lake Elks Lodge 2067 Exalted Ruler Theodore Papienuk who presented an American Flag and aplaque, a representative for Senator John Bonacic who read a proclamation, and a representative from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on behalf of Carl E. DuBois who presented a Certificate of Exceptional Duty. Also represented was Orange County Clerk Annie Rabbitt, who sent a Certificate of Recognition.

Greenwood Lake Boy Scout Brendan Hallinan received his Eagle Scout rank at a ceremony on Sat., Jul. 21 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Greenwood Lake. Photo credit: Warwick Valley Dispatch/courtesy of Ed Bailey

Boy Scout Brendan Hallinan (right) has his Eagle Scout medal pinned on by his mother, Colleen Hallinan (center) as his father, Vincent Hallinan (left) looks on. Photo credit: Warwick Valley Dispatch/courtesy of Ed Bailey