By Mary Hoar
I had the privilege of attending the Eagle Scout project presentation by Michael Del Vecchio, Jr., a member of Sacred Heart’s Scout Troop 12 and a Junior at Archbishop Stepinac High School. Michael is the son of Michael Del Vecchio, Sr. and Cindy Pramann.
After discussing potential projects, Yonkers Judge Edward Borelli and Bob Walters led Michael to learn about St. John’s Cemetery, Yonkers first burial ground. After discovering several Revolutionary War soldiers were buried there, Michael went into action and formulated a plan to give recognition to these forgotten heroes.
After contacting St. John’s Episcopal Church, Michael worked closely with Glenn Borghoff to research church records, cemetery burial records and maps to discover names and grave locations of the Revolutionary soldiers buried there. After completing additional exhaustive online research learning about each one of these men, Michael and his team visited the cemetery many times to locate each one of their graves. In some cases, soldiers’ stone markers were buried by time and had to be uncovered; this was done painstakingly with great respect. Each grave was marked with a flag and a Revolutionary War medallion.
The presentation was educational, interesting and carefully planned. After a welcome from Michael, members of Scout Troop 12 led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Lt. Samuel Sola, USN Reserves, inspired us with prayer. Michael presented a detailed history of the cemetery, as well as information on others buried there with their own Revolutionary War connection.
Several unidentified bodies were moved to St. John’s from a local family cemetery in 1882; it is believed these men had fought in the Revolution, and are Yonkers Unknown Revolutionary Soldiers.
Troop 12 members presented the Roll Call of Honor, each scout giving the name, military service and history of one of the seventeen heroes buried at St. John’s.
Michael closed the ceremony by thanking those who helped him on his journey.
Michael provided us all with a cemetery map with locations of the graves of all Yonkers Revolutionary War heroes clearly marked; afterwards many of us searched out these heroes and paid our respects.
Scoutmaster of Troop 12 is Dave Barca and Committee Chair is Samuel Sola. Cindy Pramann and Mike Del Vecchio also are Troop Committee members.
Revolutionary Patriots buried at St. John’s are: James Archer, Evert Brown, Andrew Corsa, John DeVoe, Garret Garrison, Isaac Lawrence, Samuel Lawrence, Stephen Lawrence, Thomas Lawrence, Dennis Lynt, Samuel Lyon, Stephen Oakley, Isaac Post, Isaac Reed, Daniel Robert, John Robert and John Warner.
Members of Troop 12 who participated in the project under the leadership of Michael Del Vecchio were: Joseph Barca, Viktor Berishaj, Damian Bicierro, Dylan Bicierro, Travis Fenyo, Brian Garland, Matt Guerra, Kayden Scott and Jack Truax.
I found the program both educational and inspiring, one I truly was glad to attend.
