After several years of hard work and dedication, lots of fun (not gonna lie, there was some stress, too), Zekers earned the prestigious Eagle Scout rank! We turned in his forms the week of his 18th birthday, mere days before the deadline. He is officially a bonafide Eagle Scout card holder.
Abe and I gave Zeke an Eagle box to hold all of his scouting awards that he accumulated over the years.
How things started:
How they're going:
This particular Court of Honor recognized three boys for earning their Eagle rank. Troop 9 has a higher percentage of Eagle Scouts than most.
To attain the Eagle rank, a Scout must earn at least 21 merit badges, fulfill leadership roles and display outdoor skills, demonstrate by example the Scout Oath and Law, and complete a comprehensive service project in the community. Here is a tiny snippet of Zeke's journey.
This was Zeke's first outing with Troop 9.
Here he was in his first Class A uniform.
This was the first Court of Honor that Zeke received merit badges.
And this was the first Court of Honor where he presented the flags.
This was his first camp at Sid Richardson Scout Ranch.
We sold lots of poinsettias through the years.
Whilst in Korea, he worked on a few things, but it was difficult. This was a cooking hike that we took to 'Cardiac Hill' and Sacheon Fortress.
This was one of the high adventure camps called Calvacade at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico where they rode horses for a week.
Even though he had been gone for three years, he stepped right back in where he left off.
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| Zeke with his best scouting buddies, George, Xavier and Grant |
In addition to riding horses, the boys also hiked Balde Mountain.
Zeke progressed through many scout ranks over the years.
His Eagle project was repainting the band practice field. It was 110° and we painted thousands of dots. Literally, thousands of dots.
And that brings us to here.
Zeke has joined an elite group. About 6% of scouts earn the rank of Eagle.
Fun fact: Zeke's father is also part of this elite group.
Grannie joined the family in observing this honor.
The moms (or whomever the scout has in attendance) drapes the blue neckerchief around the scout.
The scout attaches a pin to the mom's (or whomever's) sash. I have received a few pins over the years as Zeke has advanced.
The new Eagles give a short speech. Here Zeke was thanking his fellow scouts for their encouragement.
Zeke and his fellow Eagles are reciting the Eagle pledge.
It has been a standing tradition for Troop 9 to present their Eagle Scouts an ax with their name engraved.
Mr. Helt was awarding Zeke his Troop 9 ax.
The new Eagles also give pins to their mentors. Zeke chose three--Greg Waller, Greg Richmond, and Matt Goulde.
George and Xavier are some of Zeke's best scout buddies. Their fathers are Greg and Matt. Another fun fact: Xavier and Zeke are going to be roommates at college.
I love my Eagle Scouts.
Being gone for three years set Zeke back in his Eagle timeline, but he persevered! This boy makes me proud.
[June 4]