NOTABLE FEATS AND TROOP MOMENTS:

2007 Medicine Bow Week 3 - Elmo's Troop of the Week

Top- Matt Crayne, Kevin O'Brien Jr., AJ Squatrito (ASPL), Scott Gustafson Jr., Mike D'Agostaro,  Mike Lombardo

Second from Top- Joe Fatuzzo (ASM), Sean Hinphy, Jim Davolio (ASM), Brian Hinphy, Randy Ziegler (SM), Bob Mirabile, Scott Gustafson Sr.

Second from Bottom- Bobby Davolio, Andy Magnuson, John Fatuzzo (SPL), Mike Asseng, Craig Miller, Jonathan Quarant, Paul Bajorski, AJ Staub

Bottom- Andrew Kelller, Joe Mirabile, Dan Rohan (ASPL), Alex Lopez, Joe Scaduto, Connor O'Hara

 

                        

Top left: Troop 399 scouts at the June 2001 Court of Honor Ceremony at Marion G. Vedder Elementary School.
Top right: The Arena family: Eagle Scout Sean ('05), Chris and Joseph.
Bottom left: A map of Yawgoog Scout Reservation, colored and shaded by Eagle Scout Jason DiVito ('01) & Committee member John DiVito.
Bottom right: Troop 399 spending a winter weekend at the 1979 Pwamas District Icicle Winter Camporee.

 

Since 1975, Thursday nights at Marion G. Vedder School on Deer Park Ave. in North Babyon have been "belonged" to Troop 399.  The troop has been with the school for over three decades of its 75+ year history.  The troop has seen Vedder undergo major construction changes, two name changes (previously known as Parkside Elementary School and Deer Park Avenue School) and the declaration of it becoming a historical landmark in 1989, a ceremony that Troop 399 members witnessed themselves.

<- A photo of the front enterance of Marion G. Vedder School taken Winter 2002 from Deer Park Ave.

In February of 2005, Troop 399 placed second in the first-ever Sagtikos District Sled Building Competition and Klondike Camporee with the "Inferno".  The trip took place at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp. Troop 399 came in second place in the competition portion, and placed first in sled appearance led by SPL Mike Lombardo ('08).

<- Scouts admiring their work of the new finished "Inferno" completed in January 2005

At the June 2007 Court of Honor, Troop 399 Scoutmaster Randy Ziegler became the first scoutmaster in Troop 399 history to receive the National Scoutmaster Award of Merit.  The award for Mr. Ziegler was the spotlight of the evening's ceremonies.  Mr. Ziegler was nominated for the award by Committee Chairperson Ginny Gretarsson and Senior Patrol Leader John Fatuzzo ('10).

<- Mr. Ziegler giving his acceptance speech upon receiving the award.

During summer camp of 2007, 21 scouts and 10 adults put together the finest year in Troop 399 Yawgoog history.  On the 30th year that the Troop had been attending summer camp, they won their second ever Troop of the Week title in Medicine Bow, the first since 1985.  This was the very first year that Troop 399 had ever swept the medallion board (winning all available medallions).  It was also the first time a Week Three New York troop won the award in twenty-two years.  For the very first time in two decades, the troop was able to walk into the Sunday Dress Parade with a happy, victorious attitude.

<- Troop 399 lines up for the Sunday Dress Parade having just won Elmo's Troop of the Week.

 

In the spring of 2010, Troop 399 began the celebration of its 35th Anniversary of Continuous Scouting.  Highlighting the celebration was the 35th Anniversary Dinner held on Saturday, May 15th at Cross Christ Lutheran Church in Babylon.  Over 130 current troop members, families, leaders and former scouters were in attendance for a night that many could consider the most prestigious and memorable in troop history.  All of Troop 399's Eagle Scouts were honored at the event as a brand new recognition board was unveiled during the ceremony, displaying the names and years of all our Eagles.  All guests received a commemorative Troop 399 35th Anniversary Patch.  Former Scoutmasters Jack Fitzgerald and Barney Ferguson were each honored and received a special plaque.

 

James G. Marshall - Troop 399 Eagle Scout and Victim of War

James "Jimmy" Marshall is known as the first scout in Troop 399 to achieve the rank of Eagle.  Marshall also became the first Troop 399 alum to be a part of the US military.  Just five years after receiving his Eagle Scout badge in a 399 uniform, Marshall was killed in an army training camp.  He is currently buried at the Pinelawn National Cemetery on Long Island.  Each year the troop makes an effort in visiting his grave when we plant flags each May in honor of Memorial Day at the cemetery.

 

Troop 399 on TV, top of the city.  

The spring of 1978 was a memorable one for the scouts and adults of Troop 399.  The unit spent an overnighter at the top of the Empire State Building in Manhattan.  The troop, under scoutmaster John Fitzgerald, explored many of the historical sites that the building and nearby area of New York City offered.  Although many of the campers will allude to the freezing, windy conditions on top the building, the highlight of the outing was the troop making its way onto nightly news. A few of the scouts of the troop were interviewed and some even made it on TV themselves.

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TROOP 399 HOLIDAY FUNDRAISING

Top left: Committee member Mr. Delle Bovi selling Christmas wreaths in December 2001.
Top right: Troop 399 scouts at Holiday Wreath Making Night in December 2004.
Bottom left: Eagle scout Tomas Klimas-Mikalauskas ('07) advertising Troop 399's Annual Car Was fundraiser in May 2002.