TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Almost two years after Life Scout James Stickel of Troop 321 oversaw the dedication of his veterans memorial at the public library, he has been recognized for attaining his Eagle Scout rank — and thanked for his service to the community — at a town hall presentation.
With his friends, family, troop, scoutmaster, and other well wishers on hand, Stickel humbly accepted a plaque from the governing body July 12.
It is inscribed in part with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The reward of a thing well done is to have it done.”
Stickel passed his board of review in January 2020, and was made an Eagle this summer at a ceremony in Memorial Park.
The meeting was the governing body’s first in-person session since the pandemic forced a shutdown, delaying — but not stopping — so much of the togetherness Stickel worked for in the township.
Our lead on the dedication story that cold November day in 2019: “The inscriptions in chill brick brought many to their knees, fingers outstretched. Others, some atop canes or clad in motorcycle leather, recognized veterans’ names and pointed. Of course cellphone cameras caught the moment.
“An estimated 250 people attended the dedication for the township’s largest veterans memorial, on Saturday, Nov. 9, with Life Scout James Stickel emceeing a program that he made possible.
More than 1,000 hours were recorded during the project, consisting of the construction of a seat-height wall, installation of 351 personalized and engraved pavers, and new landscaping. Stickel paid for the project in part on the strength of his a buy-a-brick fundraiser, Knights of Columbus Mother Seton Council 5427 spaghetti dinner fundraisers, aid from the VFW, and donations.
The memorial ‘park’ includes flags for each branch of the military, an American flag, an inviting seat wall monument with brick patio, a gazebo that was anticipated for spring 2020, and new landscaping.
The site was put to work anchoring the township’s Veterans Day service two days after its dedication, taking its part in observations around the Pascack Valley, nationwide, and worldwide, coinciding with holidays including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I.
Stickel and other from BSA Troop 321, which is powered by kids from the township and Westwood, aimed to benefit the community and preserve the past of township vets — there were an estimated 500 veterans living in the township in 2019.
And James, of the Westwood Regional High School Class of 2022, was involved in the Pascack Valley Junior Police Academy, sports, and in so much else through school.
Stickel’s plaque is signed by Mayor Peter Calamari, Council President Stacey Feeney, Council Vice President Desserie Morgan, and members Steven Cascio, Michael DeSena, and the late Arthur Cumming.
Calamari spoke at Stickel’s memorial dedication, as did the late state Sen. Gerry Cardinale; immediate past mayor Janet Sobkowicz; Library Director Laura Rifkin; Library Board President Cindy Mazanec; and VFW Post 6192 Commander Steve Kohlreiter — who noted the memorial site would take some traffic pressure off Pascack Road — and James’s parents: Robert and Mary Ellen.
Fellow scouts raised service flags for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, to the recorded official song of each service.
Also gracing the event were the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard, Liza and John Baty with the national anthem, and Antonio Vinagre blowing “Taps.” Josh Baty led the crowd in three turns singing “Taps,” diminishing in volume: Day is done, gone the sun, from the lake, from the hills, from the sky; all is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
In his remarks, Calamari said the project, championed by both Sobkowicz and himself in their 2017–2018 mayoral transition, was a testament to Stickel, the team he assembled, and scouting in general.
“I’m delighted that it’s ready for Veterans Day on Monday. Being outside the library is a perfect location for our veterans to sit and reflect while overlooking the lake or reading a book while having access to a building,” Calamari said.
He added, “I hope it becomes a gathering place for veterans to help each other out if needed and enjoy each other’s company and stories.”
Calamari urged, “If you see a veteran here, respectfully ask them if they’d like to chat with you. They have so much wisdom to share about their service and life in general.”
He thanked “everyone who contributed to the fundraisers James ran to get the funds for the project,” notably the buy-a-brick fundraisers so obviously integral to the project but also the pasta dinners held at the Knights of Columbus, and other efforts.
On behalf of the community Calamari thanked Stickel “for taking on such an ambitious project to show our veterans how much they are appreciated for their service to our great country.”
Vito Trause’s impact
Stickel said he’d been dreaming of an Eagle project since he joined Cub Scouts in first grade and that the idea owes its inspiration to the late Vito “Pal” Trause.
“After trips to the bagel shop [David’s Bagels at Washington Town Center] each and every morning, and meeting my pal Vito, I knew wanted my project to honor veterans,” he said.He explained, “There were a lot of people who said the project was too ambitious or too huge an undertaking,” but he powered through, picking up eager support from officials, local businesses, and so many in the community.
In eighth grade he worked with an engineer on a concept rendering and launched a project website so residents could follow his progress and get involved.
At the dedication he singled out Chris from Eisele’s Nursery & Garden Center; Paul Lowenstein of Bullet Electric Inc.; Rifkin, Mazanec, and the library community; WTPD Sgt. [now Lt.] Roy Scherer, Capt. [now Police Chief] Richard Skinner, and former Detective Heather Castronova; Sobkowicz and Calamari and their respective councils; Township Clerk Susan Witkowski and Director of Public Affairs Daisy Velez; the Department of Public Works; the VFW; and Knights of Columbus Council 5427.
At the dedication the daughters of the late Trause, 94 — a former WWII German prisoner of war, a township leading light, and a mentor to many — said their father was with the dedication as well.
“This was a very important project to my father. He was so enthusiastic about it; he was so happy as far as getting involved with this and meeting with James and Mary Ellen,” said Victoria Trause.
She added of her father, who died Oct. 31, 2019, that the two things she recalls he said most often of the project were “Wow, that kid works hard! He works hard!” and “I think this is great; this is great.”
“And my father didn’t use that as a filler. When he said it he meant it: This is great,” she said.”
Since Trause’s passing, James Stickel has applied with the regional school board to name the high school stadium in Trause’s honor, alongside the county’s honorary renaming of Ridgewood Road, with support from the township and the Borough of Westwood, “Vito ‘Pal’ Trause Way.”
He marshaled skills he honed in scouting to rally supporters. He organized. He worked with the media. He had a goal.
This June 21, the school board fell short of a required super-majority vote for part of its naming policy to be set aside and his application to be approved.
Stickel had written in part, “I believe it is important that the board approve my application to name the stadium after Vito Trause because of how important he was to the WWRSD community and athletic programs. Vito has impacted many students over the past several decades, including me. Action should be taken now so that students who played during his lifetime will have the opportunity to play at the stadium. He supported them at all these years. This is a great way to give back to our No. 1 fan!”
Doubtless the work continues.