Brian Young was recently recognized at Babylon Town Hall for achieving Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout’s highest rank. The Babylon scout is now currently serving his country, enlisted with Army Infantry in Washington.

On July 12, local Boy Scouts, Young’s proud family, Lindenhurst’s members of the Veteran’s of Foreign War, community leaders and many other residents gathered to see the Young, 19, go through the solemn ceremony.

Young first joined Cub Scout Pack 90 in 1992 as a six-year-old and later bridged to Troop 194 as a Boy Scout. As a Scout, he achieved Order of the Arrow, an honor society. He later achieved his Life Rank by acting as a troop guide for younger scouts in Troop 60 in Lindenhurst.

Scouting has taken Young far; he attended the National Boy Scout Conference in Fort A.P. Hill in 2000. and the World Scout Jamboree in Thailand in 2001.

"Brian will go far and be successful in all he does," said Troop Master Joseph Perez, a New York City Police Officer who is himself an Eagle Scout.

On the average one boy in the Troop makes the Eagle Scout rank every two years.

"He has always loved scouting and is a wonderful kid," said his mother, Eileen, who said her son’s love of volunteering was something she taught her four children by example. She volunteers at her local church’s soup kitchen, feeding the hungry.

To achieve his Eagle Scout status, Young refurbished the playground at the Babylon United Methodist Church, and replaced the fences on the Deer Park Avenue side of the church for his project.

Outside of scouting, Young was a counselor with the Vacation Bible School at the church and received perfect attendance at his school in both 2000 and 2001 and was an excellent student. A member of the school drama club, Young acted in lead role in "Once on this Island," and is also a member of the community based "James Street Players."

After graduation from Babylon High School, Young completed basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 3rd battalion, 123 infantry regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington where he serves as an operator of a Striker Armored Vehicle. He is awaiting his next assignment.

"Although he was accepted to colleges, he followed his heart and joined the Army," said his mom. "He has always been a patriotic guy and, I believe that comes from scouting."

His parents, Steven and Eileen said they were very proud of their son and support his decisions, though they will do what most parents do when their children choose to servie their country—worry.