Community Corner

Boy Scouts to Build Armory Monument at New Nesconset Library

The project, created by life scout and Smithtown West High School student Alex Barnes, will commemorate those that served at the armory.

A monument to remember those who served at the Nesconset Armory, the new location of the Nesconset branch of the Smithtown Special Library District, will be built by Hauppauge's Boy Scout Troop 214, with completion expected by the end of the summer.

The project, spearheaded by 17-year-old life scout and Smithtown West High School student Alex Barnes, will feature the original flagpole from when the armory was in use surrounded by a brick walkway, two wooden benches, a garden and more.

“I’ve always been interested in doing something for the Nesconset library – I live really close by, my grandma has worked there for close to 30 years,” Barnes said. “I approached Mr. Lusak and we discussed ideas and he mentioned the flagpole and I thought that was a great idea for the project.”

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Barnes said also in the plans for the monument is a plaque dedicated to the 587 and 580 New York City Armory National Guard transportation companies, the two National Guard units that were stationed at the armory.

“Conceptually it was a great idea,” said Library Director Robert Lusak of Barnes’ initial monument proposal. Lusak said while he and the board asked Barnes questions about the project while it was being developed, he let the scout come up with the design entirely by himself.

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A United States Army veteran and Nesconset native, Lusak said the monument will be a great addition to not only the library but also the Nesconset community.

“I think it’s going to further enhance what the Nesconset community is trying to do to revitalize the neighborhood, it’s just going to be one more thing that further enhances and beautifies the community,” he said.

Barnes said work on the project should start in about a month with an end date of August or September, and will be entirely funded through Boy Scout fundraisers.


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