Aaron Swanson, a Southwestern Central School graduate, former Boy Scout and U.S. Marine, was that young man. While Lakewood BSA Troop 131 Scoutmaster Tyn Smith started serving his scout unit after Swanson had joined the military, he heard only of the positives he and his boys expressed at a dedication ceremony for a troop shed at the Lakewood American Legion Post 1286 this Memorial Day.

“(Swanson) is the type of person to serve others — a real team player,” Smith said.

During his youth, Swanson assisted with numerous Eagle Scout projects. He was a member of Troop 131 for seven years.

“Lance Corporal Aaron Michael Swanson set an example for me and every other scout here,” Troop 131 Senior Patrol Leader Ayden Danielson said. “He demonstrated that scouting is not just an activity, but rather an opportunity to gain lifelong experiences that teach us beyond earning merit badges and survival skills.”

To store troop supplies, BSA Troop 131 began building a shed owned by the Lakewood American Legion in the summer of 2018. Last fall, the troop decided to dedicate it to Swanson, in order to preserve his legacy further. Swanson died in active duty in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan.

Following the scouts’ ceremony Monday, the Swanson Scout Shed will serve as a lasting reminder and helping hand to scouts in the village’s Allegheny Highlands Council unit.

“The scouts have worked nine months on this,” Smith said.

Ulrich Sign Company donated the signage for the shed, and Tri James Services and the Home Depot donated to the project. Other anonymous donors contributed through the Lakewood American Legion.

“(Swanson) always came with a smile and brought fun to the camp out,” Danielson said. “He was ready to help his fellow scouts learn their skills (and was) always a team player.”

Danielson said Swanson was a skilled scout, able to do anything from tie a square knot with his feet to maintain self-discipline both physically and mentally, an attribute that would later serve Swanson well in the Marines.

“He was proud to be able to pass on land navigation skills to his Marine buddies, as he was the only member in the platoon who knew how to properly use a compass,” Danielson said, referring to the scouting program that helped Swanson hone those skills.

“By dedicating the Lance Corporal Aaron M. Swanson shed to his legacy, we continue the passion Aaron showed for scouting by allowing other scouts to learn the same values that earned Aaron our admiration.”

Follow Eric Zavinski at twitter.com/EZavinski