St. Robert Bellarmine / St. Sabina
Troop 499 History
2014-2023
Troop 499's registered scouts were Tony Buscemi, Preston English, Hunter Frederickson, Alex Guddeck, Gasper Havier, Jonathon Havier, Eric Martin, Enzo Monaghan, Mason Parsons, Antonio Stone, and Jaedyn Vincent.
In 2015, Ron Bush continued as Scoutmaster, with Joe Frederickson and Bill Perkins acting as Assistant Scoutmasters.
The scouts were Tony Buscemi, Connor DeLaRosa, Hunter Frederickson, Adam Katers, David Koch, Cai Martin, Mason Parsons, Billy Perkins, and Antonio Stone. In April, 2015, Eric Martin, Enzo Monaghan, and Jaedyn Vincent earned the rank of Eagle Scout. That November, scouts participated in flag retirement ceremony at the DeLaRosa home.
In 2016, the scouts were "AJ", Tony Buscemi, Connor DeLaRosa, Hunter Frederickson, Gasper Havier, Jonathan Havier, Adam Katers, David Koch, Cai Martin, Mason Parsons, Billy Perkins, and Antonio Stone. The troop was very active. They participated in the Traveling Mass which visited St. Robert Bellarmine, attended Scout Sunday masses, and went on many campouts.
All of their activities were fundraised by assisting with lenten fish fries and bake sales, Wednesday SRB car show ice cream sales, our first annual St. Hedwig wreath sale, and hot chocolate sales at the Redford Tree Lighting. Scouts volunteered by participating in many service projects including the annual Troop 499 Frog Bog for the SRB festival, placing flags at local cemeteries, serving seniors at the Wayne county senior picnic, raising a new flag pole at George Matick Chevrolet, participating in the Redford Memorial Day parade, serving our disabled guests at our annual Troop 499 Blind Dinner, collecting canned food for Redford Interfaith, and, rounding out the year, Wreaths Across America for our fallen military who are laid to rest at St. Hedwig.
In 2017, our scouts were Tony Buscemi, Connor DeLaRosa, Gage Ellis, Paul Finch, Steven Finch, Lucas Finley, Hunter Frederickson, Adam Katers, David Koch, Cai Martin, Billy Perkins, Alex Rudzinski, Antonio Stone, and Andy Toloday. Ron Bush continued as Scoutmaster. They were very active with many events, including camping, SRB car show ice cream sales, and wreath assembly and sales. We had 2 scouts, Hunter and Antonio, complete their Eagle projects. Hunter created an outdoor worship area with pavers and bench for meditation to benefit St. Sabina Parish. Antonio worked with Kids Coalition against Hunger to provide packaged meals for people in ravaged areas of the country and world that were impacted by war, famine, or natural disasters. They completed their Eagle Board of Review and were ranked to Eagle.
2018 was a difficult year for Troop 499 with the closing of St. Robert Bellarmine Church. We were very fortunate to be welcomed to the St. Sabina family as our new charter organization. Prior to the closing of St. Roberts in November of this year, Troop 499 continued to enjoy the car show and ice cream sales, working on Merit Badges, camping, and our courts of honor. We participated in a flag retirement ceremony at Harry J. Will funeral home which created a minor incident. During this ceremony, the smoke created such a concern for the neighbors that the Livonia Fire Department was called. Livonia FD assessed the situation and cleared us to continue with our ceremony. Hunter and Antonio were the last two Eagle Scouts to celebrate with the St. Roberts Community, as in September of 2018 our troop moved to St Sabina.
In 2019, the troop remained active in camping, advancements, hiking, wreath assembly, Scout Sundays, and more activities. We had two scouts who ranked to Eagle: David Koch and Billy Perkins. David's project benefited the elementary students at Botsford Elementary School in Livonia, where David built a Gaga Ball pit. Billy's project benefited individuals and families at the Samaritan house and Cass Community in Detroit.
Unfortunately, the troop could not be as active in 2020 and participate in many scouting events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We were, however, able to do outside activities like the Winter Klondike, Flag ceremony at St. Sabina, and Christmas Wreath sales at St Hedwig. The troop was able to complete two Eagle boards of review for David Koch and Billy Perkins.
In 2021, we continued to do all our fun troop events; camping, hiking, working on merit badges, and many different service projects, with extra consideration due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We celebrated David and Billy with an Eagle Scout Ceremony. This year, five scouts began working on their Eagle Projects. Many scouts worked on and completed their Eagle projects, including: Connor DeLaRosa, who worked on a Grotto for St. Sabina; Steven Finch, who worked on the Sacred Heart of Jesus area at the entrance to St. Sabina Church; Adam Katers, who worked on improving the Rotary Park Trail Project, Cai Martin, who created bee sanctuaries; and Andy Toloday, packed backpacks with school supplies for area schools.
In 2022, along with our five projected Eagle Scouts; Connor DeLaRosa, Steven Finch, Adam Katers, Cai Martin, and Andy Toloday, our troop included Nick Butler, Gage Ellis, Paul Finch, Ethan F., Lucas Finley, Stevan K., Andrew Migrin, Jacob P., Alex Rudzinski, Cade S., John T., and Andrew W..
The troop continued to camp with an epic 10 day UP High Adventure. They earned merit badges; complete service projects, and fundraised. Our five Eagles all completed their projects and successfully passed their Eagle Board of Review. This was the largest group of Eagles ranking and our Troop celebrated in a very big way with family and friends.
In 2023, and after over twenty years of service to our troop, Ron Bush continued as scoutmaster. Four of our prior eagles have gone on to college, while Andy remained in High School and acts as the troop's Junior Assistant Scout Master.
June we celebrated our sixtieth anniversary with a dinner and festivities following Saturday evening mass a St. Sabina's. Gage Ellis completed his Eagle Project which included installing a new flag pole and pavers for the Plymouth VFW. Paul and Alex completed their Eagle Projects at Greenmead Historical Park in Livonia, with Paul mending the fencing and Alex planting an orchard. Lucas Finley collected toys for Toys-For-Tots.
As of December, 2023, the remainder of our scouts continue to work on advancements, merit badges, service, projects, and camping.
Softly falls the light of day, As our campfire fades away.
Silently, each Scout should ask,
Have I done my daily task?
Have I kept my honor bright?
Can I guiltless sleep tonight?
Have I done and have I dared, Everything to "be prepared"?
Here's to another sixty years!
Resources and References
Adapted from the Silver Jubilee 25th Anniversary Celebration program (1988) and the 60th Anniversary program (2023), as well as personal recounts of current and former scouts and scouters.
Adapted and Edited by Preston English
January, 2024