MONTVALE, N.J.—For Austin H. Miller, a tribute to veterans at Pascack Hills High School began with his own family’s military service and grew into a project connecting the school’s past with its present.
Miller researched former students who served, traveled to Washington, D.C., to see names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and repurposed discarded furniture into a frame for a veterans wall at his school.
The project helped the Woodcliff Lake resident earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouting’s highest advancement rank, with Montvale Troop 334, chartered by the Montvale Fire Department.
A senior at Pascack Hills, Miller developed the project, raised funds and oversaw construction. His inspiration came from his grandfathers, Peter M. Strassberg and Harold Miller, and his great-grandfather, George Strassberg, all of whom served in the military.
The effort brought together historical research and hands-on work. Miller sought information about Pascack Hills veterans and visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to see former students’ names in person. For the physical display, he sourced discarded furniture and recycled it into a frame, giving old materials a new purpose.
The resulting wall honors those who served while giving today’s students a connection to the veterans who came before them.
Miller also sought to make the project useful beyond Pascack Hills. He developed an AI-based resource intended to help other schools follow his approach and create veterans walls of their own. The resource is available at hero-history-hub.replit.app.
His path to Eagle began in Woodcliff Lake’s Cub Scout Pack 349 under Cubmaster Adam Schwartz. After joining Troop 334, he received guidance from Scoutmasters Dan Sawitz, Bob O’Neill and David Hill.
As he advanced, Miller took on responsibilities helping younger Scouts, serving as patrol leader, troop guide and troop instructor. Those roles gave him opportunities to pass along the skills and guidance he had received.
At Pascack Hills, Miller balances Scouting with varsity soccer and lacrosse and an elected position as student government’s executive public relations officer. He is taking five Advanced Placement classes this year after earning all A’s in six AP classes last year, along with scores of 4 or 5 on his AP exams.
The middle of three sons, he is the son of Carolyn J. Strassberg and Rick Miller.
A Court of Honor is planned for next year. Miller hopes to celebrate alongside fellow Scouts who have completed their Eagle projects or are working toward the same milestone. His plans include enjoying senior year and heading to college, with his field of study still undecided.