Long Valley Scout Attains Highest Rank

Do you recall the victorious moment of taking your first bike ride? One smiles at the pleasant nostalgia but not everyone can share this memory. Sadly there are many people who just can't afford a bicycle.

This is where Sean Salamon comes in. The newly appointed Eagle Scout worked selflessly, embodying the Boy Scout's ideals to help to make a difference.

For Salamon's service project–a requirement to become an Eagle Scout–he collected and repaired over 100 bicycles with the intention of donating them to those in need.

His advancement in rank took place Saturday, Oct. 16 at Schooley's Mountain Park. Members of his troop and family along with Long Valley public officials attended the ceremony where Salamon received the highest attainable rank within the Boy Scouts of America.

Mayor Ken Short and Morris County Freeholder Margaret Nordstrom both spoke briefly to comend Salaman for his hard work. Short and Nordstrom both spent time in the Boy and Girl Scouts respectively. They attested to the value of experiences presented to them during that time.

Salamon admitted the project was very stressful. "Lots of hard work and missed sleep," he said.

His motivation was compassion and the desire to make a significant impact on a more personal level.

"I wanted to help the community directly," Salamon said. "That's how I came up with the idea of giving away bikes."

The New Jersey Department of Youth and Family Services assisted Salamon by distributing the majority of the bicycles. About a dozen or so left over went to the Drakestown United Methodist Church.

Graciela Reyes, a supervisor at the Morris County office of DYFS worked extensively with Salamon during his project.

"It's the first time something like this has been done," Reyes said. "It's a very amazing thing to see such an act of kindness, especially from a person of Sean's age."

Due to confidentiality rules, Salamon was unable to meet anyone who received a bicycle but Reyes heard good things.

"I spoke to people that delivered the bicycles," she said. "They said the kids were all very happy."

A service project benefiting one's community is just one prerequisite to attain the rank of Eagle. It is also necessary to earn at least 21 merit badges and demonstrate the embodiment of scout spirit throughout your life.

Salamon feels the same now that he is an official Eagle Scout. He explains that the attitudes and responsibilities required of an Eagle Scout are something he has possessed for quite a while.