Two Scouts Attain Eagle Rank, Recall Scout Who Perished in Airplane Crash

MARMORA – An Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held for two Troop 76 Boy Scouts Jan. 3 at Trinity United Methodist Church. Honorees were Robert Craft, 18, of Dennisville, 18, and Forest Wan, 16, of Marmora.
Both Eagle Scouts created, then oversaw funding and erection of their projects that were dedicated to the memory of Thaddeus Lazowski, who died along with his father in an airplane crash shortly after their private plane ascended from Woodbine Municipal Airport Nov. 14, 2009.
Craft, a 2015 graduate of Cape May County Technical High School, is presently enrolled at Cumberland County Community College in an agricultural program. He was active in the high school’s Future Farmers of America chapter. He is also a member of the Cape May County Beach Plum Association. He has been in scouting since early boyhood, and has been active throughout his life. He noted that scouting has helped prepare him for the future.
Wan is a junior at Ocean City High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society, class council, band and Key Club, as well as being on the crew team. One of his passions is for aviation, and he is a cadet technical sergeant in the Civil Air Patrol. He hopes to pursue an aerospace engineering career.
Craft’s Eagle project is located at Naval Air Station Wildwood, Erma. He rebuilt a World War II concrete structure including a platform and an area that was cracked and in need of landscaping.
He dedicated the project to Lazowski because the boy, who would have been 18 this year, loved the aviation museum.
Wan created a volleyball court and entrance arbor and gazebo at Trinity United Methodist Church. He wanted it to be large enough to be considered a project done by himself as well as for Lazowski, who would have turned 18, in order to share the honor with him. Eagle Scout projects must be completed before one’s 18th birthday.
Wan believes scouting has been his most meaningful extracurricular activity, since it guided him to achieve a level of professionalism and dedication.
“Today, six years ago, I lost a dear friend of mine in an accident,” Wan stated at the dedication and placement of a plaque on the gazebo.
“He was a Boy Scout and loved the outdoors more than even I do. At that time, I had not yet joined scouts, but he had told me stories of amazing camping trips and adventures.
“The day he passed I resolved myself to live part of my life for him. I joined scouts and now that I have reached the top of that mountain, I want to share my project with him. I know Thaddeus wanted to be an Eagle Scout and the fact has driven me to achieve that goal since that day,” Wan added.
Lazowski’s mother, Valerie Lazowski Graciano, who since remarried, wanted the public to know “There are many youth who are making a positive difference in our society. They work hard to be good citizens and make positive choices.
“I am very proud to know both of these young men. Thaddeus always tried to do his best and seeing his life positively influence others is an honor,” she said.
Boy Scout Troop 76 leaders “Are faithfully guiding the large group of young men and recently, many of the scouts have achieved the honor or Eagle Scout. This takes hours of working on badges and volunteer work. The strong troop is helping others choose to be good citizens and positive adults,” Lazowski Graciano said.
Additionally, she noted that the local Masonic lodge has given an award and gift in honor of her late son to each Eagle Scout in the local area since his passing.
“Thaddeus never said ‘if’ I become an Eagle Scout but ‘when’ I become one,” said his mother.
“Bob Craft and Forest Wan have allowed his memory to fly to that goal the Masons continue to challenge others to earn their wings. The Masons quietly do so many things to encourage others, I am so thankful they have kept Thaddeus’ memory alive by giving this award,” she continued.