4 The Courier sun • MARCH 7, 2013 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com FLY LIKE AN EAGLE BY TERENCE M. CULLEN [email protected] Soon, parents Thomas and Andrea Mercatante will have three eagles inside their Howard Beach nest. Thomas Mercatante Jr., 18, along with his 16-year-old twin brothers, Anthony and Andrew, of Troop 139 will all become Eagle Scouts at the same ceremony on May 1 — a rarity that three siblings make it at once. “It’s a great feeling to have that,” said proud pop, Thomas Sr., who’s also an assistant scout master. “To see them work so hard to get to where they are, I take great pride in that. It’s an accomplishment that they’re going to look back on and say, ‘Wow, I really did this.’ It’s a good thing to have, a good thing to do.” To reach scouting’s top rank, a young man must earn a certain number of merit badges and organize a community service effort, known as an eagle project. For Thomas, this was a cleanup at Floyd Bennet Field; for Andrew, a similar project at Frank Charles Memorial Park; and Anthony, a sneaker drive in which he collected around 600 pair of shoes for Nike — the rubber from which will be used for gym mats and running tracks. “It feels like we did it as a family,” said Thomas Jr., whose work, like Andrew’s, was washed away by Sandy. Anthony, who compiled his donated sneakers in the family’s basement, was able to get them out about a week before the storm flooded the home. The youngest Mercatantes are two years ahead of schedule in making eagle — something they attribute to good leadership in their troop and capitalizing on merit badge opportunities on camping trips. Although both Andrew and Anthony have capped out their work with the troops before they had to, both plan to come back and help whenever they can. Parents Thomas and Andrea Mercatante with their sons Anthony, Thomas Jr. and Andrew, who will all become Eagle Scouts this May. “It’s kind of surreal,” said Andrea Mercatante, who said her sons might not even yet realize the weight of their accomplishment. “It is an important accomplishment outside of scouting. People look at it and they say, ‘They’re responsible, and they’re trustworthy,’ and everything that the scouting oath is they embody. They really do.” When Sandy started, all three boys sprang into action and ensured any survival necessities were in place, the proud mom recounted. The trio gathered THE COURIER/Photo by Terence M. Cullen candles, sleeping bags and flashflights in preperation for a storm surge. But most of all, they put their mother at ease. “They all got together. ‘This is what we’ve got to do Ma, don’t worry.’ They were ready,” said Andrea Mercatante. “And they were calm and they were confident and me seeing that makes me know that they’re ready for anything that comes their way. You could throw a curve ball and they’re going to catch it.” BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER • Draperies • Vertical Blinds • Honeycomb Shades • Custom Window Shades • Mini Blinds • Roman Shades • Balloon Shades • Swags & Jabots • Shutters • Upholstery • Radiator Covers • Table Pads Nobody Beats Our Prices! FREE Shop At Home Service UP TO 70% OFF LIST PRICE Free Interior Design Consultation *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 3/22/13 $50 OFF with purchase of $500 or more $100 OFF with purchase of $1,000 or more GOMER’S Window Treatments SINCE 1962 Factory Showroom: 268 St. & Hillside Ave., Floral Park 1/4mi E. of Little Neck Pkwy. 1-800.522.6156 www.gomersdecorators.com FREE Measuring & Installation w/purchase of $100. w.this ad. NOW AVAILABLE 0% Financing See store for details. $20 OFF with purchase of $200 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 3/122/13 *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 3/22/13 2013 Estate Tax Law Changes-Are You At Risk? Costly Mistakes You Cannot Afford to Make! Come to a Free Workshop on Wills Living Trusts & Medicaid Planning At the workshop, we will discuss several issues, including: -The advantages and disadvantage of Wills and Living Trusts -How to plan before you need Long Term Care -How to protect your children’s inheritance from future ex-spouses, lawsuits and other claims Seating is Limited. Refreshments Served. Call now to reserve your seat 718-275-7779 Tuesday- March 5th, 2013 Time: 1:00-3:00 pm Wednesday- March 20th, 2013 Time: 6:30-8:30 pm Presented By Monday- March 4th, 2013 Time: 6:30-8:30 pm Thursday-March 7th, 2013 Time: 1:00-3:00 pm Wednesday-March 6th, 2013 Time: 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Thursday- March 21st, 2013 Time: 11:00-1:00 pm Law Firm of Albert Cohen, P.C. 104-70 Queens Blvd., Suite 312, Forest Hills, NY 11375 718-275-7779 www.cohenestateplanning.com
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