CEREMONY BSA TROOP 508

WOODHAVEN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

NOVEMBER 8, 1998

for

DUSTIN ASKINS           BEN JOHANSEN                    TYLER HORNER   

 I.          Introduction/Welcome

 MC Roger Knapp        On behalf of Troop 508, I would like to welcome you to this Eagle Court of Honor.  This Court of Honor is unique for this Troop in that we are recognizing three scouts, Dustin Askins, Tyler Horner, and Ben Johansen, who have covered the trail to Eagle substantially together from the beginning in Tiger Cubs.  These scouts learned as Webelos that the Scout Oath signified a threefold duty.

                                                Duty to God and Country

                                                Duty to Others

                                                Duty to Self

                                    We will now begin to convene this Court of Honor in an act of doing our duty to God.  J.R. Vassar former Youth Pastor of MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church will now give the invocation.

II.         Duty to God-Invocation

YP J.R.Vassar God spoke to Moses and it is recorded in Deuteronomy Chapter 6 of the Bible (Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9).  Proverbs 22:6 also say: “Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.

                                    The parents and leaders of these Eagle candidates have this responsibility and have used the scouting program as a tool in this training.  It is our prayer that these Eagle candidates will continue through out their lives to follow the principles they have learned.

                                    Please join me in prayer.  ( J.R. Vassar  Offers a prayer for the occasion.  All three scouts have participated in youth activities sponsored by MBBC

III.       Duty to Country-Flag Ceremony

MC   Roger Knapp      We will now participate in an act showing duty and respect for our country.  Scouts of Troop 508 will now lead us in a flag ceremony.

(The head color guard now takes position at center stage.  Color guards with the American, and Troop flags will enter from the back of the sanctuary at the command of the head color guard. The American Flag bearer Tommy Poynter and one color guard Jonathan Poynter will enter, walk down the right outside isle of the sanctuary, walk across the base of the stage stairs from right to left and post the flag on the left side of the stage.  The Troop ( Trey Parham and Ken Dubois  ) flag will do the same only left to right.)

            CG Aaron Israel          

            "Attention!  Salute!  Pledge of Allegiance!  I Pledge ........................."  "two!  You may be seated.  Color guard return to post."(Here the head color guard and the flag bearers return their seats via the back of the sanctuary)

(Now advance to the stage 4 scouts Keith Green , Ian Svajda ,Matthew Adamson , Jack Teel  .  Two taking position behind and one on each side of the candle table.)

(Scout 1 Keith Green    lights the single candle on the back table.)

"Before you stands a single lighted candle.  It represents the spirit of Scouting.  This spirit makes all the programs in scouting possible and is the spark that ignites the scouting movement across America.  We will now use it to light the three candles that represent the three colors of the American Flag."

(Three scouts light their candles and say their part:)

SC2 Ian Svajda :

(as he lights the Red candle)

"The red of my flag is the lifeblood of brave men ready to die for our country."

SC3 Matthew Adamson :

(as he lights the white candle)

"The white of my flag is for purity and cleanliness of purpose, thought, and deed."

SC4 Jack Teel  :

(as he lights the blue candle)

"The blue of my flag is for faith and loyalty, like the eternal blue of the star filled heavens."

(Four scouts leave and be seated.)

IV.  Convening The Court of Honor     

MC Roger Knapp

            "By the authority vested in me as a representative of the Circle Ten Council  and the National Council, Boy Scouts of America, I declare this court of honor to be duly convened."

            "Today we have the honor and pleasure of recognizing Ben Johansen, Tyler Horner, and Dustin Askins, candidates for the rank of Eagle.  This is an important and serious matter.  Dustin’s, Benjamin’s and Tyler’s parents and scout leaders have labored long and faithfully to guide him towards alert and participating citizenship through the boy scout program.  Their efforts culminate today in the presentation of this Eagle Badge."

VII.      The Candidates Trail to Eagle

            (Presented here will be a personalized trail to Eagle following these three candidates from Tiger Cubs to Eagle)

MC Roger Knapp

It is appropriate that we recognize that the requirements to become an Eagle Scout are designed to provide a broad base of outdoor and basic life skills which increase in difficulty.  This progression has the goal of preparing a boy towards the building of the character of a young man.  Actually the Trail to Eagle formally begins when a boy becomes a Scout a the age of 11 years.  However, the scouting trail began for these three young men as boys of age between 6 and 7 in Tiger Cubs.  Let us take a moment to take a personal recounting of the Trail to Eagle for Dustin, Ben, and Tyler.

XA   Stan Green  Tiger Cub and Bobcat

Upon entering the 2nd grade at T.J. Lee Elementary School, Tyler and Ben along with their parents joined Cub Scout Pack 509 as Tiger Cubs. Dustin entered Tiger cubs at Casa View Elementary School in Dallas, and during the year moved to T.J. Lee. In Tiger Cubs they met once a month along with one of their parents, usually Dad.  Each of their monthly meetings was built around a program theme.  Crafts, games, snacks and outings were activities which began teaching skills, cooperation and basic life principles.  Search, Discover, Share was the Oath of these Tiger Cubs.

Dustin’s Tiger Cub group became Cub Scout Den # 3,  led by his mother Vicky Askins.  Tyler and Ben’s Tiger Cub group became Cub Scout Den # 1 led by Mr. Mark Hummert.  Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting based the Cub Scout program on one of the stories in Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book’s.  It was called “Mowgli’s Brothers”. These young Cub Scouts came to know it as the Story of Akela.  Their first step was to learn The Cub Scout Promise, The Law of The Pack, and the Cub Scout motto.  When they had mastered these basic principles of scouting, Ben, Tyler, and Dustin were awarded their Bobcat Badges on the same Pack Meeting night.  The Badge was pinned on upright as they were held upside down.  When they had performed their first good deed they began their Duty to Others and turned the pin right side up.

XB Dale Owens  Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts

The Trail continued as these new members of the Pack were guided by Akela along the Wolf Trail.  Their tracks covered Achievements including Feats of Skill, Your Flag, Keeping Your Body Healthy, Knowing your Home and Community, Tools for Fixing and Building, Start a Collection, Your Living World, Cooking and Eating, Being Safe at Home and on the Street, Family Fun, Duty to God, and Making Choices.  Den meetings for Tyler and Benjamin typically had a time of working on a craft or skill, a vigorous game, refreshments, and a closing Cub Scout skill learning contest.  A half court basketball game in Mr. Hummert’s driveway was a favorite when the weather was good.  By the spring of their second grade year in school all three of these Scouts had earned the rank of Wolf Cub Scout.

Then the summer came and it was time for Cub Scout Day Camp.  A camp T-Shirt and a Den which called themselves the Okapi added to the excitement.  The Den Song went al little like this: “We’re the Okapis of Pack 509 - We’re the Okapis and we’re mighty fine-We’re the Okapi’s of Pack 509-We’re the Okapi’s, We’re here rain or shine”. The thrill of shooting B-B guns at the Rifle range and learning to shoot arrows with a bow, taking nature hikes, making crafts and swimming made Day Camp memories and helped to seal lasting friendships.  Having, their own campsite even though there were no tents, made the adventure thrilling.

During the Third Grade these now experienced Cubs worked on more advanced skills toward becoming Bear Cub Scouts.  Special events added to their growth including the opportunity to design build and race a pinewood derby car, and taking part in the Scout Show at Texas Stadium.

By early spring of their Third Grade year Tyler, Ben and Dustin had earned their Bear Badge and continued learning and demonstrating more skills to earn arrow points. 

XC Dennis Baker    Webelos

In the fall of their Fourth Grade year the Cubs from Dustin’s Den joined with Benjamin’s and Tyler’s Den to form a Webelos Den.  Now they could wear uniforms just like the Boy Scouts, and to earn the Webelos Badge we showed our Webelos Leader that we understood the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan, Salute, Sign, and Handclasp, along with earning several activity badges which were like Merit Badges.  Also, we learned more about our Duty to God, Country and Others.

At this time Tyler took an extra step and earned the religious emblem of his faith.  This was a great accomplishment for which he was recognized at his church where he was presented the badge.

Den meetings were fun because the scouts learned skills for camping, home handyman, fitness and others which were already preparing them not only for Boy Scouting but for their adult life and citizenship.  They can remember playing the shoe relay and turning out the lights in the school cafeteria and playing a game sending messages using Morse code and a flash light. 

Then came camping. The first experience for these three scouts came at a Webeloree at Camp Wisdom. It rained all day while they were in skill sessions in the camp mess hall.  By early evening the clouds began to clear and even though it was muddy and getting dark, these guys begged to stay and camp.  They were ready.  So, the adults, three of which were their fathers, agreed.  They cooked hamburgers and hot dogs (or maybe it was Boboli Pizzas in a box oven), had a campfire, and spent a momentous night under the stars.  You could see here that these three scouts were destined to be in this ceremony today. 

Before school was out in their fourth grade year, the entire Den had earned their Webelos Badge.  For this, there was a special ceremony put on by Order of the Arrow members from Troop 508.  What an inspiration to continue towards being a Boy Scout.

XD Richard Buckner   Arrow of Light

Now in fifth Grade these three scouts continued their diligent work towards earning the Arrow of Light Award, which is the only Cub Scout badge which can be worn on their Boy Scout uniform.  Now they showed proficiency in repeating from memory the Scout Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan.  Here they began learning more emergency related First Aid by showing and explaining how to handle the “hurry up” cases.  Demonstrations at Den meeting were fun and they used first aid relays to help them learn, remember and act quickly.  Required to complete The Arrow of Light Award was the completion of four more activity badges, which all three accomplished before the end of March of their Fifth Grade year.

An additional requirement was that they participate in a Webelos Overnighter or Day Hike.  Well these scouts had already been camping as first year Webelos, so they were ready for the big time.  A weekend at Camp Cherokee which included a horseback ride around the camp was their adventure.  Each boy had a parent joining them on this outing which turned out to be an enjoyable adventure.  At night there was a visit by a racoon who thought he was going to get something to eat.  Little did he know that Mr. Horner had risen early to warm his feet by the fire, and he was denied the treats that he could smell.  These scouts got an early lesson, that would carry them to Philmont, about putting up your smellables so the varmints can’t get them. 

Well, with most of the requirements completed, the Den began the process of visiting Boy Scout Troop meetings to prepare them to make the decision of where to continue on the Trail to Eagle.  Six out of eight of the scouts in the Den chose to join Troop 508. But before the transition was made to Boy Scouts the Order of the Arrow Members of Troop 508 staged an Arrow of Light and Crossover Ceremony at the April Pack 509 Meeting.  At this time Dustin, Benjamin, and Tyler along with fellow Troop 508 scouts Michael Baker and Mac Thomasson, shot an arrow into a target with the help of the Troop 508 Archer, and received their Arrow of Light Award.  A memorable moment that night was the bridge crossover ceremony by which they crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.  “Uncle” Herb Boyd, Scoutmaster emeritus of Troop 508 and two scouts, met these new scouts as they crossed the bridge, to welcome them to the Troop and show them that there would always be someone there to help them carry their load.

MC Roger Knapp

In a special ceremony their Webelos Dad, Ken Johansen, tied a square knot in the tails of their Webelos neckerchief.  It was said at the time that this knot would remain tied until their Eagle Ceremony.  Thus, at this time, Honor Guard, please escort the Eagle Candidates to the center stage, for this symbolic untying.

Ken Johansen, since you were their Webelos Dad, would you come forward to untie the knots in their neckerchiefs.

   (Ken Johansen also comes forward and recounts the earlier ceremony and congratulates them upon keeping their promise to themselves to complete the trail to Eagle.  The Honor Guard is then asked to seat the candidates in the front center row for the remainder of the Trail to Eagle Story.)

Honor Guard, please seat these Eagle Candidates as we continue telling of their Trail to Eagle.

X   Dennis Teel

By virtue of their Webelos and Arrow of Light preparation, it took very little time for these young scouts to earn the ranks of Scout and Tenderfoot.  Their first camp out in Troop 508 in May of their fifth grade year was held at Fort Richardson.  Here they saw the Bird Lady and her many rescued birds of prey.  At this same camp out basic compass and orienteering skills were taught and an orienteering course was covered.  This was the beginning of the learning of skills that they would later employ to hike ten days on the trail at Philmont.

Their first summer camp was a trip to Camp Pioneer near Mena Arkansas.  Here Dustin, Tyler and Benjamin were enrolled in the First Year Camper program where they each substantially completed requirements for the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks.  At the week’s end, they witnessed their first Order of the Arrow tap out, which was an inspiring experience in itself.

XF Dennis Teel    Second Class - First Class

 Along the trail through Second and First Class Scout, camping skills were learned and experienced including the correct use of hand axes, saws, and knives; how to pack for a camp out without taking everything but the kitchen sink. These three joined with their patrol one cool Saturday in November to hike a course through L.B. Houston Park that they had laid out together using a topographical map and a compass.  

Camping was a major highlight along the Trail; once a month and always to someplace different Their was usually something memorable about every camp out.  A Troop 508 Christmas camp out with Turkey baked under the coals and all the trimmings will not be forgotten.  One February long school break weekend took the troop to the Old Spanish Cave near the Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri Borders.  What a thrill to explore in groups and pet the bats hanging from the passage ceilings.  Sometimes rainy and cold weather set up special camp out experiences, like the trip to Lake Lewisville when they spent the rainy mid afternoon making boats from paper plates, cups and markers.  A race across a cove area made Ben a winner with Tyler close behind.

XH Chuck Fry   Star

Continuing to be active in Troop activities while in Junior High School, these three Eagle Candidates began earning merit badges towards earning he rank of Star. Swimming, First Aid and Leather work Merit Badges were three of the six required which were earned at Camp Pioneer, their first summer camp.  For their troop positions of responsibility, Ben served as the Troop Quartermaster, Dustin was Troop Chaplin’s Aid, and Tyler was Patrol Leader.  They each took part in service projects totaling at least 6 hours.  Tyler participated in Jonathan Owens Eagle Project, Dustin participated in a workday at Woodhaven Presbyterian Church, and Benjamin aided in the painting of play ground equipment at Fritz Park for a Taik Ra’s Eagle Project. 

Also, while working towards the Rank of Star, they all traveled with the Troop to summer camp at Camp Chris Dobbins in the Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch located northeast of Colorado Springs, Colorado.  This was a memorable experience which included a quick dip in the cold pool at 6:00 AM in the morning to earn their Polar Bear Patch, cool sleeping nights, a salad bar at meals, a Camp Director that did not like root beer, and a tour of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on the return trip home.

XI Carter Hallmark   Life

For these three determined Scouts, the trail from Star to Life added to their scout skills, personal development, and adventure.  They earned now up to a minimum total of 11 merit Badges which included three more of those specifically required for Eagle.  Of those required, Dustin added Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, and Safety; Tyler added Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, and Citizenship in the Community, and Ben added Communications, Emergency Preparedness, and Citizenship in the Nation. 

Ben and Dustin and  worked together on Emergency Preparedness at their next summer camp stay at Camp Cherokee.  Also, at Cherokee Ben and Dustin took the Challenge and completed the mile swim with Dustin coaching and counting laps and Ben Swimming; Tyler missed this summer camp and did his duty to others by attending a special family reunion.

All three were elected by the Troop to be candidates for the Order of the Arrow, the Brotherhood of Honored Campers.  Dustin took his Ordeal first at Camp Greyson on Lake Texoma.  Later that year Tyler and Ben took their Ordeal at also Camp Greyson, where Dustin unselfishly also attended as a member to be sure Ben and Tyler earned their entry.

Their leadership skills continued to be developed as Tyler served as Patrol Leader, Dustin was Troop Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Ben took on a second term as Troop Quartermaster.  Each were required to take part in at least 6 hours of service projects.  For these Ben Took part for 18 hours in a cleanup and repair of Tornado victims property in Lancaster, Texas, Tyler helped with the Scouting for Food drive and the Woodhaven Craft Fair, and Dustin helped two scout with their Eagle service projects.

During their trail to Life, these Scouts along with 8 others from Troop 508 also began their training, physical conditioning, and upgrading of their hiking and camping equipment in preparation for their  July 1995 trip to Philmont Scout Ranch.  Roger Knapp, since you shared this 1995 adventure, would you take a moment to share a few of the of the memories of this trek for the audience.

MC    Roger Knapp    Philmont:          

            After a year of preparation, Dustin, Ben, and Tyler along with 8 other Troop 508 scouts over the age of 14 and six adult leaders participated in a Trek at the Philmont Scout Ranch during which they hiked the mountains of Cimmaron New Mexico for ten days, carrying food, shelter, clothing and necessary supply provisions.  Although a Trek at Philmont includes an amount of hardship from weather and long hiking days, each of these hikers found challenge and enjoyment that makes them want to “go back to Philmont, back-back to Philmont.

            Rogers Comments on Philmont - Dustin led the group as Crew Chief, Ben acted as Chaplin and

            In fact Tyler returned for a second Trek in the summer of 1998 with returning scout Andrew Buckner and other members of Troop 508.

XB Bob Harris    Eagle

As these three Scouts entered MacArthur High School, together their scout training and personal determination led them to achieve in academics, music, and sports.  They here began to find the difficulty of time management and maintaining priorities. But they maintained a focus on their goal and the importance of completing the trail.  Each, as you will later see, has become involved and achieved in a manner their parents and scout leaders are proud to see. However, this involvement lengthened their individual trails to Eagle.

To complete the Eagle requirements they added a minimum of 11 more merit badges including four more from a required list and 7 electives.  Each served an additional six months in a Troop Leadership position.  Tyler served as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Dustin led the Troop and Patrol Leaders Council as Senior Patrol Leader, and Ben served two terms as Troop Chaplin. Dustin gained a valuable leadership experience during the Summer after his Sophomore year in High school when he worked on the Summer camp Staff at Camp Constantine for the entire summer.  But, during this time in High School each of these scouts took part in important character and leadership development activities, not the least of these were their own service projects required for the Eagle rank.

BH   Bob Harris  

            Bob Harris’s Comments on Eagle Projects -

                        Tyler’s Project of installing a fence around the front courtyard of Travis Jr. High.

                        Dustin’s project of building a hiking/nature trail at the Trinity River adjacent to the Campion biking, blading, and jogging trail.

                        Benjamin’s project of installing tree identification signs along the nature trail along the Trinity River.

You can see from all these experiences along the Trail that each one was a building block towards the character, skill, and knowledge development of and Eagle Scout.  Until you review the Trail and later have opportunity to utilize something you picked up along it, you don’t really appreciate what you have gained.

VII.      Introduction of the Eagle Candidates

MC Roger Knapp      

            (Each of the candidates will be introduced with verbage to show the achievements and positions they have achieved in school and extra curricular activities which are examples of the type of individual parents and leaders had prepared them to become in part by the training they received in Scouting)

At this time we would like to bring forward the candidates for the Eagle Badge.  As the Honor Guard escorts each candidate before this court of honor separately, I would like to introduce them with a brief description of some of their accomplishments and positions outside of scouting which is an example to all gathered here of the characteristics of young men who rise to the rank of Eagle Scout.

Tyler Horner-Tyler is a Senior at MacArthur High School where he ranks in the top 25% of his class academically.  He is as successful athletically as he is academically, as he has participated for four years in football, track and baseball. As a Junior, he was named to the 2nd team All District in Football.  This year he is a Co-Captain on the Varsity football team.  Adding to his responsibilities and development, he has worked at Tom Thumb for the last year.  He is very active in a local church youth group and has been nominated for Christian Athlete the year through F.C.A.

Dustin Askins-Dustin is a Senior at MacArthur High School, where he is in the top 25% of his class academically, and is in his second year of participating in the Peer Assistance Leadership program, which is a program to assist elementary school students. He has been on the Cross Country team for 4 years and this year has served as team captain.  Outside of school Dustin has been employed at Toys-R-Us for two years where one of his duties is to train new employees.

Ben Johansen - Ben is a Senior at MacArthur High school where he is a the treasurer of the National Honor Society and ranks in the top 20 in his class academically. He is a member of the Mac Majic Show Choir and has advanced to the All Region Choir the last two years and has made area Choir this year. Ben has been in the band for four years, was a drum major his Junior year and is currently Head Drum Major of the marching band. He has earned a position in the Texas All State band in his Sophomore and Junior years; he earned the position of first chair baritone saxophone player in the All State Band his Junior year.  He is active in his church youth group.

(The honor guard with Michael Baker, Steven Massey, Jonathan Owens, Adam Harris, James Kang, and Andrew Buckner individually escort Tyler, Dustin, and Benjamin down the front isle to the center stage area and about face to look toward the audience.  Honor guard stay in position around the candidates.)

As you can see, all three of these Scouts have demonstrated doing their duty to God and Country, Others, and Self

VIII.     Introduction of Candidate Parents

MC   Roger Knapp 

            As I introduce the parents of these Eagle Candidates, the Eagle Honor Guard will escort them to join their son’s for the presentation of the Scouts Eagle Badges.

            Ken and Laurie Johansen

            Steve and Vicki Askins

            Bob and Chris Horner

            ( One Honor Guard Scout goes from the stage to the parents and takes the arm of the  mother and with father following proceed to the stage. The Honor Guard remains standing by the parents they escorted until dismissed by the MC to sit with troop.)

            Honor Guard Dismissed.

IX.       Presentation of the Badges and Certificates

TBD   John Eitson  

            A FOND MOTHER WATCHES HER BOY WHERE HE STANDS

            APART FROM HIS COMRADS TONIGHT,

            AS THEY PLACE ON HIS CAMP-BATTERED TUNIC A BADGE

            AN EAGLE, THE EMBLEM OF RIGHT.

            IT SEEMS JUST A FEW SHORT MONTHS HAVE PASSED SINCE HE JOINED             WITH THE YOUNGSTERS NEXT DOOR.

            HOW PROUD HE WAS THEN OF HIS TENDERFOOT PIN

            AS HE TOLD HER THE MESSAGE IT BORE.

            BUT THE YEARS HAVE GONE AS HE STRUGGLED ALONG

            TO LEARN WHAT THE SCOUT LAW’S ABOUT;

            HE PRACTICED THEM DAILY, THE OATH AND THE LAW

            UNTIL NOW HE’S AN EAGLE SCOUT.

            YOU MAY SMILE IN YOUR WORLDLY OLD WISDOM AT THIS

            AND SAY, “WHY, IT’S ONLY A PIN.”

            BUT I TELL YOU NO HONORS HE’LL GAIN AS A MAN

            WILL MEAN JUST AS MUCH TO HIM.

            THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE OF THE RIBBON

            ARE THE SYMBOLS OF HONOR AND TRUTH.

            HE HAS LEARNED HOW TO HONOR THESE FINE ATTRIBUTES

            IN THE GLORIOUS DAYS OF YOUTH.

            AND THE OUTFLINGING WINGS OF THE EAGLE THAT RESTS

            ON THE BREAST OF THESE KNIGHTS OF TODAY

            ARE THE THINGS THAT WILL LIFT HIM ABOVE PETTY DEEDS

            AND WILL GUIDE HIM ALONG THE RIGHT WAY.

            YES IT IS ONLY A PIN, JUST AN EAGLE SCOUT BADGE,

            BUT THE HEART THAT’S BENEATH IT BEATS TRUE

            AND WILL THROB TO THE LAST FOR THE THINGS WHICH ARE GOOD --

            A LESSON FOR ME -- AND FOR YOU!

MC Roger Knapp

It is now the pleasure of this Court of Honor to present these new Eagles with their Badges.  Scoutmaster Randy Svajda, would you please come preside over this presentation.

SM: Randy Svajda       (Walks first to the podium microphone)

"Tyler, Benjamin, and Dustin having watched each of you complete your Eagle Requirements over the last few years, It is with great pride and pleasure that this court of honor now presents you with the Eagle Badge.  We now proclaim to all the world your accomplishments.  The symbol of your success is the Eagle badge and neckerchief, which will now be presented to you."

Would Mr. Bob Harris and Mr. Roger knapp please come forward to help me with this presentation.  Each of you have been Scoutmasters of Troop 508 during the time these scouts have been on the Trail to Eagle.

"Now Ben, Tyler and Dustin, your Mothers, who have provided encouragement, support, and at times a little prodding will have the honor of  pinning the Eagle pin over your heart." (Scoutmaster hands the Badges to the mothers who inturn pin them on their sons.)

This afternoon you have worn the neckercheifs of a Webelo and a Scout.  Your Father who has provided role model guidance to you in your Trail to Eagle and to becoming a young man will now replace your Scout neckercheif with an Eagle Neckerchief.

(Scoutmaster assists father who takes the Troop scarf off and puts the Eagle Scarf and tie slide on Dustin, Tyler, and Ben. The Scoutmaster remains at the table to hand the following awards to their presenters.

"No one will ever know the unnumbered acts of self‑sacrifice and helpfulness from your mother which have led to this day.  As the symbol of what this mother has made possible, the court now asks Dustin, Tyler, and Ben to pin over his mother's heart this miniature Eagle pin .”

"Your father has stood by you over the years and has offered his encouragement and assistance.  As the symbol of what he has contributed to your attainment of this award, the court now asks you to pin on him this miniature Eagle tie tac."

"In recognition of fatherly advice and guidance along the trail to Eagle, I ask Dustin’s, Tyler’s, and Ben’s Dads to now present their sons with the Eagle Scout certificate and letter from the chief Scout Executive, Boy Scouts of America."

XIII      Other Presentations -  Troop Eagle Plaques

SC Randy Svajda   

For you to have a remembrance on your room wall or maybe some day in your office, the Troop presents each of you with an Eagle Plaque and Your Eagle Certificates. 

MC                       

"I would now like to introduce Eagle Scouts   Michael Baker, Jonathan Owens, Steven Massey, Andrew Buckner, Adam Harris and James Kang  to come forward and give the Eagle Scout Charge."

X.        Eagle Charge

EC                             (Michael Baker, Adam Harris, Andrew Buckner, Jonathan Owens , James Kang)

Jonathan Owens

"Ben, Dustin, and Tyler we your fellow Eagles have the honor of giving you the Eagle charge on the occasion of your reaching the highest rank in Scouting.

The Scouts of all nations constitute one of the most wholesome and significant movements in the world's history.  You have been judged by the Boy Scouts of America of being worthy of the highest rank in this great movement.  All who know you rejoice in your achievement.

Andrew Buckner

Your position, as you know, is one of honor and responsibility.  You are a marked man.  As an Eagle Scout, you have assumed a solemn obligation to do your duty to God, to country, to your fellow scouts and to mankind in general.  This is a great undertaking.  As you live up to your obligations you bring honor to yourself and to your brother scouts.

Your responsibility goes beyond your fellow scouts, to your country and God.  America has many good things to give you and your children.  But these good things depend for the most part on the quality of her citizens.  Our country has had a great past.  You can help make the future even greater.

Adam Harris

I charge you, Tyler, Ben, and Dustin, to undertake your citizenship with a solemn dedication.  Be a leader, but lead only toward the best.  Lift up every task you do and every office you hold to the high level of service to God and to your fellow man.  So live and serve, that those who know you will be inspired to finer living.  We have too many who use their strength and their brains to exploit others and to gain selfish ends.  I charge you,Tyler, Ben, and Dustin, to be among those who dedicate their skills and ability to the common good.

Build America on the solid foundation of clean living, honest work, unselfish citizenship, and reverence for God; and, whatever others may do, you will leave behind a record of which every other scout may be justly proud.

James Kang

Benjamin, Dustin, and Tyler, you will now rededicate yourself by repeating the Scout Oath.  Repeat it slowly, as you stand before the three lighted candles representing the three parts of the scout oath.

XI.       Candidates Oath

ES        Steven Massey & Michael Baker   (Will now lead his newly recognized brothers in the Oath of the Eagle.)

EC Steven Massey:    

Scouts, Relatives, and guests please stand. (pause)

Eagle Candidates Tyler Horner, Ben Johansen, and Dustin Askins, I charge you to enter this Eagle Scout brotherhood, holding without reservation ever before you the ideals of honor and service.  By the repeating of the Eagle Scout Promise before your fellow members, you will dedicate yourselves to the ideals of an Eagle scout.  Though the words you use are similar to those by which you joined scouting, today you pledge yourself on your sacred honor, you will be sealing your eternal loyalty to the code of the Eagle Scout, with the words which closed the declaration of independence.

Michael Baker   Eagle Scout candidates,Tyler Horner, Ben Johansen, and Dustin Askins, make the Scout Sign and repeat after me:

I reaffirm my allegiance ‑‑‑ to the three promises ‑‑‑ of the Scout Oath ‑‑‑ I thoughtfully recognize ‑‑‑ and take upon myself ‑‑‑ the obligations and responsibilities ‑‑‑ of the rank of Eagle Scout. ‑‑‑ On my honor ‑‑‑ I will do my best ‑‑‑ to make my training an example ‑‑‑ my rank and my influence ‑‑‑ count strongly ‑‑‑ for better scouting ‑‑‑ and for better citizenship, ‑‑‑ in my troop ‑‑‑ and in my community ‑‑‑ and in my contacts ‑‑‑ with other people. ‑‑‑ To this I pledge ‑‑‑  my sacred honor.

Audience, please be seated.

By the authority vested in me by the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America, it is my privilege and pleasure to congradulate you Dustin, Tyler, and Ben for being Troop 508's newest Eagle Scouts.  May the oath you have taken....remain graven on your heart....forever!

MC Roger Knapp  Dustin, Benjamin, and Tyler, as is a tradition for Troop 508 Eagle Scouts, would each of you now sign the Eagle Board.

To Show comradship, will the Eagle Scouts of all ages in the audience please come up and stand across the front of the sanctuary with Tyler, Ben, and Dustin.   

XII.      Presentation By Armed Services

 MC Roger Knapp Sargent Billy Blair, Dustin’s cousin will now make a presentation from the Armed Services of America.  Sargent Blair Please come forward

XIV     Scoutmaster’s Minut

SM Randy Svajda

In the chapter titled “Finding One’s Life Work’, the 1940 Handbook reads:

A Scout looks ahead.  He prepares for things before they happen.  He therefore meets them easily.  He never just waits and hopes and accepts whatever comes, for to do so is the road to failure.  He reaches high, strives long and hard toward honorable goals, and keeps ever in mind Longfellow’s invocation:

            The heights by great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight; but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.

Experpted from Naturalist, by Edward O. Wilson.

XV.      Benediction

MC                              Youth Pastor J.R. Vassar will now lead us in a closing prayer.

YP J.R.Vassar               

Every tomorrow has two handles; we can hold by the handle of anxiety or by the handle of faith

XVI     Retiring of the Colors

MC Roger Knapp        Would the Color Guards now retire the Colors.

CG Aaron Israel, etc. (Chief Color Guard comes to the center of the stage in front of the new Eagle scouts and gives the commands to the Colorguards to retire the colors.)   “Color Guards advance” “Retreive the colors” “Return to Post”

XVII.   Closing of the Court of Honor

MC Roger Knapp   I now declare this National Eagle Court of Honor closed.  Eagles you may now be the first to congratulate these new Eagles for their achievement.  Audience, a reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall across the walk from the sanctuary.  The Eagles and their parents will take a few minutes for pictures before proceeding to the reception.

XVIII   Time for Pictures, others go over to reception.  

XIX.    Reception