Allenwood, NJ (November 6, 2022) – Thomas Vincent Fury, Daniel Vu Nguyen, and James Brendan McWeeney have earned the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) highest advancement award, the Eagle Scout Award. A ceremony was held at the Manasquan Elks Lodge #2534 to mark their outstanding achievement. These scouts are three of approximately only 4% of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank after a lengthy review process, according to Scoutmaster Todd Lee.

The scouts’ parents were given the honor of presenting their Eagle Scout rank. Past Exalted Ruler John Colvin gave the new Eagles citations from the Manasquan Elks Lodge, Wall Township Committee, and New Jersey State Legislature. BSA Monmouth Council Executive Mike Mahon was also on hand to present a special Challenge Coin to each Eagle Scout.

Eagle Scout candidates must earn 21 merit badges and successfully complete a community, church, or synagogue-related service project to earn his Eagle Award. Created in 1911, Eagle Scout is the highest rank of the Scouts BSA. Because it takes years of hard work, service, and determination to become an Eagle Scout, this prestigious milestone is recognized across the country and the world.

The scouts are all members of BSA Troop 82, located in Allenwood, NJ, and chartered by South Wall Fire and Rescue Co. #1, which has a total of 119 scouts who have earned their Eagle Award, dating back to 1962.

Thomas Fury began his scouting journey as a Wolf Scout in second grade as part of Allenwood Pack 82. He enjoyed many trips, including Venture Crew 82’s visit to Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia and the Ciganka sailing trip through the Bahamas. He’s also attended Gettysburg, Washington D.C. trips, hiking trips through High Point, Central Park, Ellis Island, and Stokes State Forest. He proudly served as Den Chief and Senior Patrol leader.

Thomas’s Eagle Scout Project involved restoring an area for the clothing donation bins at St. Martha’s Church in Point Pleasant. A new retaining wall was installed, and concrete was poured. Along with plenty of volunteers, he placed soil, planted shrubs, and painted and sanded the large metal donation bins. The donation bins go towards Seeds of Service, a charity organization located in Brick.

Thomas is a senior at Wall High School and will be graduating in June 2023. He’s a member of the Pre-engineering Academy, National Honors Society, and Technology Student Association. He is also an active member of St. Mark’s Christian Youth Organization. He earned 26 merit badges, including Environmental Science, First Aid, and Digital Technology.

Daniel Vu Nguyen began his scouting Career as a Webelo Scout as part of Pack 82. He participated in many trips, including High Point State Park Hiking trips, Shawnee Ski trip, Forestburg, NY, and the Police Camporee. Daniel even won the troop competition for “best chili” at Forestburg. One of the first merit badges he earned was Snow Sports, which he earned at the Shawnee Scout Ski Trip. Daniel proudly served as a Den Chief to pack 82 and a Patrol Leader.

Daniel’s Eagle Scout project was done at the Wall Township Youth Center during the summer of 2021 under the supervision of Mr. Tom Grasso from the Wall Township Department of Public Works. Eight-foot picnic tables were constructed so that the Youth Center could hold more outdoor events during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, and arborvitaes were planted at the entrance gate to beautify the area.

Daniel is currently a junior at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ. He is on the High School Math team, Chess Team, Project Grover (a service program that is dedicated to growing and donating food to food banks), and the CBA Tennis Team. Daniel earned 23 merit badges, including Robotics, Programming, and Geocaching.

James “Brendan” McWeeney has been involved with Boy Scouts and scouting in general in Wall Township since he was a Tiger Scout with Pack 194 of Wall, NJ, which was formerly connected with Old Mill School. To date, James earned sixty (60) merit badges as a Boy Scout. He has attended numerous programs to earn badges and met many people, scouts, and leaders. The most enjoyable topic he studied and received merit badges for was Dog Care, and he has attended programs in multiple states. He is also a lifeguard.

Brendan’s Eagle project was for and dedicated to the people of the Township of Wall. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, he constructed picnic tables for the Recreation Department, which were used for the summer recreation program at the Wall Youth Center. A total of (6) six-foot picnic tables were constructed, completed, and delivered before the start of the summer program. Brendan also designed and prepared two planters to decorate the front of the Wall Youth Center Building. Mr. Tom Grasso from Wall was instrumental in helping Brendan with this project.

Brendan was very fortunate to have his grandfather William Kenneally, 85 at the time, a former Scout, to help in the construction and completion needed to finish the project. His grandfather was also very involved and helped review several revisions of the Eagle Scout project.

He is currently a sophomore at Wall High School.

About Allenwood Troop 82

BSA Troop 82 in Allenwood has been a part of the Monmouth Council Boy Scouts of America for more than 75 years, serving the youth of Wall Township and surrounding communities. Youth members range in age from 11 years to 17 years, with adult volunteers from ages 18 to 75 years young. They are an active troop numbering approximately 35 youth and 30 adults that is proud of the fact that we are a boy-led scout troop. Our monthly activities include campouts and many opportunities for service to the community and advancements. Regular meetings occur on Thursday nights from 7:00PM to 8:30PM at the South Wall Firehouse, following the holiday schedule from Wall Township schools.

Scouting is completely funded by the generosity of our local community.

About the Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship and develops personal fitness.

For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible and productive society. For more information on Troop 82, please contact Scoutmaster Todd Lee at [email protected]