Eagle Scout project unites youth and veterans

Veterans and members of Boy Scout Troop 240 joined together for a day of food and stories on Saturday, Feb. 6, at the West Hempstead American Legion Cathedral Post 1087.

It was thanks to 17-year-old Dominic Desterdick, who put the event together as part of his Eagle Scout project, that the two generations were able to come together.

"The significance of the project is to preserve the history of dying veterans," said Desterdick, who is from Franklin Square. He got the idea from Peter Johansen, a member of Post 1087, who reached out to Desterdick to suggest that he make a documentary about veterans' experiences. Johansen said it wold serve as both a salute to them and as an important tool for teaching history to younger generations.

Thinking this would be a fun and interesting project, Desterdick took it on, setting up the event during which vets had their pictures taken and scanned, along with any memorabilia they brought along, and sat for interviews conducted and filmed by scouts Mark Defilippis and Christian Valle.

Prior to leaving, each veteran received a disc that contained his interview and photo. Desterdick also plans to put together another disc, containing all of the photos, memorabilia scans and interviews, and give it to the West Hempstead Historical and Preservation Society.