INDIAN WATERS COUNCIL
Boy Scouts of America

Council #553 serves central South Carolina: Bamberg, Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and Saluda counties.

Scott Strauss – Eagle Scout and September 11 Hero –to speak at FOS Kick-Off Banquet in February

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Scott Strauss, featured in Alvin Townley's Legacy of Honor and the Oliver Stone film World Trade Center, will deliver the keynote address at the 2008 Friends of Scouting Kick-off event.  The event will take place at 6:30pm, Monday, February 4, 2008 (note - correction) at the Columbia Convention Center. As an Eagle Scout and member of the Emergency Service Unit of the New York City Police Department, Strauss and others risked their lives to rescue two Port Authority Police officers during the September 11, 2001 attacks.  This amazing rescue earned Strauss NYPD’s highest award, the Medal of Honor.  Strauss has also received numerous other awards for his bravery and service including the Medal of Valor in 1997. 

A retired Detective of the NYPD, Strauss is now the Associate Director of Corporate Security for the North Shore – LIJ Health System where his responsibilities include oversight of hospital investigations and managing security policies and programs.  Scott is also active in his community.  He is a 26 year member of the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department where he was a line officer as well as their Chief of Department.  Scott is a two-time recipient of his fire company’s coveted “Firefighter of the Year” award.  He is a member of many community based organizations – a baseball coach and manager for his sons teams as well as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 45 where one son is the Senior Patrol Leader and the other is the Troop Quartermaster.  Troop 45 boasts a membership of 50 Scouts and 40 adult leaders/committee people.  This is the same Troop Strauss, his father and brothers were members of when they were Scouts.

Strauss attributes his achievements in life to the fact that he is an Eagle Scout.  He credits the Boy Scout program for igniting his desire to help others and for giving him a strong base of values in which he continues to believe and build upon.  He was raised in Mineola, NY and continues to reside there with his wife Pat and sons Bryan and Christopher.

Scott Strauss will undoubtedly provide a moving testimony as to the importance of Scouting in his own life and those who have benefited from his courage.