In NHP, a scout marshals recognition for those who gave their lives 

A 17-year-old Boy Scout is the driving force behind an homage to local U.S. military veterans who lost their lives in the line of duty with the construction of a new tribute in New Hyde Park.

Michael Domingo, of Stewart Manor, has been planning and orchestrating the construction of three walls at New Hyde Park’s Memorial Park on Lincoln Avenue as part of his goal to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

The walls will recognize a total of 57 service members who died during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Each late New Hyde Park native will have a plaque on the wall with name, rank and date of death. One wall will be 5 feet by 11.8 feet, with the other two measuring 4.4 feet by 5.8 feet.

“It’s been an honor to work on this project so far,” Domingo, a Sewanhaka High School junior, said in an interview Tuesday. “I’m really looking forward to getting this completed in time for Memorial Day, so we have something to show the community to recognize the sacrifice of all these service members.” 

Domingo, a member of Boy Scout Troop 298, started the project about two years ago while doing community service with Ernie Pyle American Legion Post 1089 in New Hyde Park. The post's leadership tasked him with researching and organizing the biographies of the 57 New Hyde Park service members.

The teen organized notes, old news articles and other information into spreadsheets and was able to learn about some of their lives and deaths, including a service member who perished aboard the USS Arizona battleship during the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941.

“There were a lot of stories that were handwritten … about how they died, it was interesting, but some were very sad,” he noted.

Domingo said he raised more than $24,000 for specialized plaques and other project materials.

New Hyde Park-based Persi Contracting Corp. was one of the businesses that donated labor and material for the project and worked with Domingo's troop to build the walls. Company owner Michael Persichilli said the troop members helped workers load trucks with dirt, carry bricks and mix mortar. 

“It's for the Boy Scouts, it's for the village and it's just the right thing to do,” Persichilli said of his company's part in the project. 

When looking for inspiration, Domingo didn’t have to look too far — his father, Elbert Domingo, was active in the Air Force from 1981 to 1985.

“This is definitely a project that we feel moved about,” said the father, who is a leader in the troop.

The elder Domingo added that the reception for the project in the community has been “outstanding,” making the fundraising effort a little easier for his son.

New Hyde Park village trustee Rainer Burger, also a leader for the troop, collaborated on the project as well.

“We were truly humbled and honored that he wanted take on this project to honor those that gave their lives to this country,” Burger, who had a long career in the Air Force, said of the teen.

Burger said village officials plan to unveil the new monument during New Hyde Park's Memorial Day celebration.

“We’re also trying to work with the community, especially some of the younger generations, to show them the sacrifices that some of our men and women of the services did to provide the freedoms and liberties we have today,” Burger said.