Miami Lakes has another Eagle Scout: Justin Correa, 17, a member of Boy Scout Troop 529B.
The son of Rebecca and Julio Correa, Justin is the second family member to reach that goal: his sister Julianna earned the Eagle Scout rank in 2022.
In the library at Barbara Goleman Senior High School on Oct. 18, Justin presented the last of four projects he completed to relatives of Goleman graduate and U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Ofren “AC” Arrechaga.
Arrechaga was a decorated soldier who was 28 when he was killed in action in 2011, during his fourth and final tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was married and the father of two young children.
A display of framed art by Arrechaga, photographs of him in the military and while in high school as well as a plaque dedicated to his life are hung along one wall.
“I’m very thankful to see that his memory is being kept alive and thank you to everyone who has contributed to this,” Marta Alvarez, mother of the fallen soldier, said in Spanish.
She traveled from Tennessee with relatives for the presentation attended by Goleman Principal Dr. Manuel Sanchez III, Mayor Manny Cid, Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez and Councilmen Josh Dieguez and Bryan Morera and others.
The tribute to Arrechaga began when Justin met with Gary Cardenas, post commander for American Legion Post 144.
“Gary made suggestions to put up a plaque for Ofren,” Correa told The Miami Laker on Oct. 16.
Cardenas has worked closely with the Arrechaga family.
“This project got developed and it was beautiful,” Cardenas said when the display was unveiled.
A $1,100 grant from the Miami Lakes Town Foundation funded Justin’s library project and other activities -- teaching students about flag etiquette, veterans and the American Legion; painting a Town Hall parking spot reserved for veterans (purple, in tribute to those who receive Purple Heart medals) and cleaning the 9/11 memorial, flag poles and granite benches in the veterans’ section of Vista Memorial Gardens cemetery --that earned him Eagle Scout status.