Highland Falls 16-year-old earned the distinction
There was a veritable ‘who’s who’ of the Highlands community on Saturday afternoon at the American Legion Hall in Highland Falls — that’s because the town’s newest Eagle Scout, Colin Monaghan was being honored for his accomplishment at a Court of Honor.
But while the 100 or so folks who were in the audience were accomplished in so many ways, there was no doubt who the ‘star’ of the day was — Monaghan.
The 16-year-old earned his Eagle Scout distinction after over a decade in the Boy Scouts. His culminating project for the honor was the renovation of a garden on the very North end of Highland Falls, just outside West Point’s Thayer Gate. Last summer, after working with members of the Village and Town Board, the Garden Club of the Highlands, and other community organizations and individuals, Monaghan and quite a few of his fellow scouts dug up the old, weed-filled garden and planted perennial flowers and shrubs, and installed an informational kiosk which talks about who the garden is dedicated to — the Buffalo Soldiers.
At his celebration on Saturday as attendees walked into the room they were treated to not only a photo display of Monaghan working on the garden but also photos of his scouting career, but also several tributes to Buffalo Soldiers.
The event was hosted by Fort Montgomery’s Elaine McConnell, who has been active in scouting for several decades. Joining her on the stage several times was Troop 23 Committee Chairman Evangelist McGowan, and Troop 23 Chaplain Father Brad McCoy (Eagle Class of 1992), who also offered an invocation.
McCoy congratulated Mon-aghan, and reminded him to thank “all of those who have helped you along the way”.
That immediately made many in the room look toward Monaghan’s parents, standing toward the back of the room at that time. Joanne Lynch and Steve Monaghan, it was noted several times, have been a strong presence in Colin’s scouting years.
While neither of his parents spoke, they were also called to the stage several times, to help bestow his Eagle neckerchief and pin on him, and so Monaghan could present them with small gifts.
There were several presentations during the ceremony, including from Orange County Legislator Laurie Tautel, who presented him with a Distinguished Service Award from the County Legislature. She noted that she had first met Colin in that very room, when he was a Webelo.
“I am extremely proud to know you and be inspired by you,” she said.
Highland Falls Mayor Joe D’Onofrio who presented Monaghan with a piece of his personal Buffalo Soldier collection, a plaque he received in 2008, signed by many of the local community’s own Buffalo Soldiers. D’Onofrio noted that he was incredibly grateful that the plaque had been saved after the floods of this past summer.
There was a Color Guard made up of Monaghan’s fellow scouts, and the recitation of the Scout Oath and Law. There were a half-dozen or so Eagle Scouts in the room, including Town of Highlands Supervisor Bob Livsey (who earned his Eagle Scout distinction 72 years ago) and former Village Trustee Michael Graber (who earned his Eagle Scout distinction 69 years ago). Both were wearing their pins — while worn, they were identical to Monaghan’s new pin.
Monaghan’s father noted to those arriving at the event that when deciding upon an Eagle Scout project, he had hoped to work on a project that brought “all of the greater community together” — looking around the room that was evident, with residents from West Point, Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery in attendance. One of the letters of congratulations read at the event was from West Point Superintendent Lt. General Steve Gilland, who commended Monaghan for not only his accomplishment in scouting, but for his work at the refurbished garden. That letter was read by Scoutmaster TJ Jackson.
Jackson (Eagle Class of 1996) challenged Monaghan to give those Scouts under him the same help that older Scouts gave to him along the way.
Damien Shepherd, from West Point’s Masonic Lodge also spoke, commending Monaghan for representing Scouts with many of the same principles as Free and Accepted Masons follow. He also thanked him for handling the snow shoveling of Highland Falls’ Masonic Lodge property.
Shepherd asked Monaghan to take a minute and look around the room and make note of “all the people that are here for you”.
Monaghan did, but like a typical teenage boy, he spoke very briefly, thanking the many people, and specifically Scouts, in the room who have helped him along the way.
