Scouting leader Lenny Arcuri honored for 70 years of service 

 For seven decades, Eagle Scout Lenny Arcuri has devoted his time to Scouting, serving in nearly every volunteer leadership role while mentoring generations of young people along the way. 

That lifetime of service was recognized last month when the Greater Hudson Valley Council of Scouting America honored Arcuri during a dinner at Four Brothers Restaurant in Mahopac. Family members, friends, fellow Scouts and public officials gathered to celebrate his 70 years of involvement with the organization. 

Arcuri's Scouting résumé spans virtually every level of leadership. During 36 years as a commissioner, he served as council commissioner, district commissioner and dean of the Commissioner College, while also representing the Greater New York Councils at the national level. He is a lifetime member of the National Eagle Scout Association. 

Over the years, Arcuri has received many of Scouting's highest honors, including the District Award of Merit, Vigil Honor, Silver Beaver Award, Silver Pelican Award, St. George Award and Distinguished Commissioner Award. 

Despite those accolades, Arcuri has often said he considers his greatest accomplishment to be mentoring 25 Scouts who ultimately earned the rank of Eagle Scout. 

His commitment to education and community service extends beyond Scouting. Arcuri spent 33 years with the New York City Board of Education and taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. During his career, he received the New York City Mayor's Award for his Outstanding School Conservation Program and was recognized in both Marquis Who's Who in American Education and Who's Who in America. 

A longtime student of history, Arcuri has also been active with the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society, where he has served in several leadership positions, including president. His work with the organization has included organizing a fife and drum corps, creating a historical reenactment group and developing educational programs for local schools. 

One of the evening's highlights came when fellow Eagle Scout Chris Christiansen presented Arcuri with the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA), a council-level honor recognizing Eagle Scouts whose accomplishments have made a significant impact within their communities, regions or states. 

Arcuri also received a proclamation and challenge coin from County Executive Kevin Byrne, a fellow Eagle Scout, along with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the office of Congressman Mike Lawler and a citation from the office of state Assemblyman Matt Slater. 

Article courtesy of Maria Rivera, assistant district commissioner for the Greater Hudson Valley Council of Scouting America