Oceanside High School students support veterans with Eagle Scout projects

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Two Oceanside High School students supported veterans of the armed forces with their Eagle Scout projects. Kenneth Russo, 17, and Matthew Furst, 16, who started Boy Scouts in first grade, presented their Eagle Scout projects — in two separate ceremonies earlier this month.

With the help of the Oceanside Sanitation Department, the Rockville Centre Lions Club and other community members, Russo created a drop box for retired American flags. On Sunday, he presented his project at Sanitary District No. 7 in Oceanside and held a flag-burning ceremony to demonstrate how to properly dispose of the flags.

“I wanted to honor the American flag,” Russo said. “When you honor the flag, you also honor your country and all the veterans who served.”

Russo’s great-grandfathers and great-uncles served in World War II, his paternal grandfather served in the Korean War and his maternal grandfather was active during the Cuban missile crisis. One of his great-uncles received the Purple Heart.

“We thought this was a great idea,” said Dan Faust, the general supervisor of the Oceanside Sanitation Department. “Kenneth came to us with it, and we thought it would be great for the public to have somewhere to bring flags to dispose.”

Before Russo created the flag drop box at Sanitary District No. 7, the Sanitation Department brought discarded flags to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The new box is at the front entrance of the sanitary district, at 90 Mott St. in Oceanside. Once the box is full, the Boy Scouts will take the flags and conduct flag-burning ceremonies.

In May, Furst also completed a project in support of the nation’s troops. He compiled and shipped 40 care packages to U.S. soldiers stationed overseas on the island of Diego Rivera in the Indian Ocean.

Furst’s cousin, Master at Arms 2nd Class Petty Officer Michael J. Carter, is one of those soldiers. He told Furst about the large list of items that were difficult for him and his fellow soldiers on their base to obtain, including shampoo, soap, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, hats, sunglasses, games and books. So Furst called more than 100 large companies, including Nike and Under Armour, requesting donations. About 15 agreed to donate to his collection.

Furst purchased additional items with funds from friends and family members. He partnered with Applebee’s to host a Flapjacks Fundraiser in January, at which community members paid $10 per breakfast ticket. All the money raised funded care package materials and shipping costs. The 40 care packages reached his cousin’s troop in the spring, and Furst officially earned the Eagle Scout honor in May. A Court of Honor ceremony for him was held on Nov. 10.

“He was very thankful, and the members wrote letters back and they were very appreciative,” Furst said of Carter and the troops. “It feels pretty good, and I’m proud of myself.”

Correction: A previous version of this article reflected that Kenneth Russo earned his Eagle Scout honor. This is incorrect. He has to fulfill additional requirements before a review board will determine if he is eligible to receive scouting's highest rank.