3 Eagles
There were three generations of pride filling the Our Lady of Perpetual Help School auditorium when Michael Marchetti received his Eagle Scout Award at the Court of Honor recently. Both his father, Dr. Michael Marchetti, and his grandfather, Dr. Carl Marchetti knew what it took for Michael to receive the highest award in scouting. Both the scout’s father and grandfather had also earned their Eagle Scout awards when they were teenagers.
Michael, the son of Dr. Michael and Suzanne Marchetti, graduated from Henry Hudson last year and is currently attending Brookdale College studying business. The family lives on Beach Blvd. in Highlands, and Michael sought inspiration from Highlands Mayor Carol Broullon in selecting the project he would do to earn the Eagle citation.
The mayor suggested Michael re-create the World War II monument on Route 36 across the street from OLPH and the new Borough Hall, and he took on the suggestion with enthusiasm and energy.
As part of the project, Michael had to refurbish, shine and mount the plaque that honors the 13 residents of Highlands who lost their lives during World War II. As part of the requirements listed for earning the Eagle award, Michael also had to oversee a team of ten young men to assist with the project, once he had planned and coordinated it. The scout also had to research history on each of the men named on the plaque and turned to borough historian Walter Guenther as a resource. That resource gave him more inspiration and more appreciation of heroes from an earlier era, he said.
During last week’s Court of Honor, Dr. Carl Marchetti, Michael’s 89-year-old grandfather, who lives in Farmingdale, recalled he was 14 when he was a Boy Scout in Troop 33 in Jersey City. The doctor, who retired in 1982 after 22 years as senior vice president of Jersey Shore Medical Center, and private practice in Neptune as an OB-GYN doctor, estimated he has delivered at least 4,000 babies during his medical career, but nothing is making him prouder than his grandson’s achievement.
“I’m glad to be his grandfather,” he said with admiration, “and I’m glad he made the decision himself to work hard to achieve this. It shows his dedication both in time and effort.”
Dr. Michael Marchetti, who is also troop leader of Troop 22, agreed, adding he is “proud of everything Michael is doing, and he did it this project well.” The physician practiced in the emergency room at Bayshore Hospital for 25 years and now practices in urgent care at Robert Wood Johnson in Hillsborough, in addition to serving first as assistant troop leader for nearly ten years and troop master for the past five. He admits that it was his father that got him involved in scouting and he is happy he has been able to do the same for his son.
In her letter of congratulations to the scout, Mayor Broullon thanked him for his work and noted “it makes me proud every time I walk or drive by and see the monument,” recognizing that he has transformed “an old monument to new glory.” She also noted the thanks and appreciation of both the local American Legion Post 143 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6902 and reminded Michael “you have made the borough proud.”
Police Chief Rob Burton, in congratulating the Eagle Scout, commended him for the 24 badges he earned during his scouting years and told him his outstanding work on this project will continue to inspire him in the years ahead. Atlantic Highlands Police Chief Scott Reinert also sent his congratulations and belief that “you can do anything you set your mind to…”
