Big-hearted Westchester teen finishes veteran hall beautification project in time for Memorial Day — after freak accident
Share this @internewscast.com

A compassionate teenager from Westchester has completed a project aimed at enhancing a local veterans hall right in time for Memorial Day — despite being delayed by a freak accident and a challenging recovery.

Joseph Mana, 18, was on the verge of finishing his work at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall in Yorktown Heights. His Eagle Scout project involved setting up planter boxes, pressure washing the facility, and refurbishing a bench. He took a break in October to focus on school activities, according to Mana and his father who spoke with The Post.

“It was supposed to be done in time for Veterans Day — but then tragedy struck,” his dad, Ed Mana, said.

While actively participating in Boy Scouts troop 173, Mana was playing touch football during his fourth-period gym class when an accidental collision occurred. Another student ran into his left leg from the side while he was leaning back, leading to the unexpected incident, Mana explained.

The impact and strange angle dislocated his knee and damaged a main artery behind it.

“I was in a lot of pain and shock,” Mana said. “The top of my knee was indented down at an angle.”

He was rushed to an emergency room, where doctors explained he needed surgery immediately to fix the artery.

“After they popped it back into place, they said it could be something wrong with the vascular side,” Mana said.

For the next four months, the teen was forced to remain hospitalized while he recovered from three surgeries — including to repair the artery, remove pins from his ACL and fix a tendon.

Ed Mana, 52, said it was hard to check his son into Blythedale Children’s hospital in Valhalla knowing he’d likely be there for months.

“When you have to leave [your kid] there, it’s like you’re leaving someone in jail. There were tears,” he said.

As the months passed, the teenager celebrated Halloween, New Years ‘Day and his 18th birthday at the hospital.

“I was upset and annoyed I couldn’t see [my friends],” Joseph Mana said.

He even applied to colleges while on painkillers and confined to the medical center.

“I told him if you don’t get in, you should write the college a letter later and say, ‘I was high but not for the normal reasons,’”  Ed Mana said.

Finally, in March the teen was released and advised to do physical therapy twice a week and to wear a knee brace for the next year and a half.

Over the weekend, he returned to complete the vets project, which will also include a flag box, and will be unveiled in a ceremony after the town’s Memorial Day parade Monday. Mana is expected to give a short speech.

“Vets deserve this because they fought for our country, so we should spend our time helping them too,” he said.

Since his accident, Mana has been accepted to SUNY Polytechnic Institute, where he plans to study computer science.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Man charged after allegedly kicking at airline staff, biting passenger on Australian-bound flight

Man Faces Charges for Alleged Assault on Australian-Bound Flight, Involving Airline Staff and Fellow Passenger

A 45-year-old man from Queanbeyan faces charges following an incident on a…
Connecticut school system lets students hide trans status from parents, complaint claims: 'Turns the statute on its head'

Connecticut Schools Allegedly Allow Students to Conceal Gender Identity from Parents, Sparking Controversy

WASHINGTON — On Friday, a prestigious school district in Connecticut faced a…
2026 NFL Draft: Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, whose mother Ashley Griggs died in Chicago shooting, drafted No. 4 overall

2026 NFL Draft: Ohio State’s Carnell Tate Honors Late Mother Ashley Griggs, Secures No. 4 Pick

In a significant moment for both the athlete and his supporters, Carnell…
'Hero' father drowns saving his 12-year-old son from rip current at popular beach destination, family says

Brave Father Sacrifices Life to Rescue Son from Dangerous Rip Current at Beloved Beach

In a heart-wrenching tragedy at Cocoa Beach, Jason DeGray lost his life…
California dominates pollution ratings with eight cities in top 25

California Cities Lead Pollution Rankings with Eight in Top 25

As California gears up for new clean-air initiatives and a contested electric…
Eerie photos of abandoned Chernobyl plant show lights still glowing on nuclear control panel

Chilling Images Reveal Lights Still Shining in Abandoned Chernobyl Control Room

It’s like stepping into a time capsule. Haunting images of the notorious…
Spencer Pratt accuses Karen Bass’s crew of getting MAGA merch at White House

Spencer Pratt Alleges Karen Bass’s Team Acquired MAGA Merchandise at the White House

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently returned from Washington, D.C., with more…
Activists erupt as rescued ducks are sold off like cheap chicken

Activists Rally Against Sale of Rescued Ducks, Equating Treatment to Low-Grade Poultry

A mass surrender of ducks in Southern California has sparked controversy after…
Pentagon email floats suspending Spain from NATO, other steps over Iran rift

Pentagon Contemplates NATO Shake-Up: Spain’s Membership at Risk Amid Iran Dispute

An internal email from the Pentagon has unveiled potential strategies for the…
Long Island PTA mom accused of stealing $50K from elementary school while she served as NYPD officer

Long Island PTA Mom and NYPD Officer Charged with Embezzling $50K from Elementary School Funds

On Wednesday, authorities reported the arrest of a PTA mom from Long…
Former North Carolina police officer accused of threatening mass shooting at New Orleans festival

Ex-North Carolina Police Officer Faces Allegations of Threatening Mass Shooting at New Orleans Festival

A former police officer from North Carolina was taken into custody late…
Mexican Mafia turned American neighborhoods into ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ with murders, kidnappings, drugs: feds

Federal Authorities Report Mexican Mafia’s Role in Transforming U.S. Neighborhoods with Crime and Drugs

In a significant crackdown on organized crime, federal authorities announced Thursday the…