Commitment to community: It's where Eagles soar
Eagle Scout Pledge: On my honor, I will do my best to make my training an example, and make my rank and influence strongly count for better Scouting and for better citizenship, in my troop, in my community, and in my contact with other people, regardless of race, color, or creed. To this, I pledge my sacred honor.
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Mark Curtiss, Caleb Broderick and Mike Curtiss are marked men.
These three young men, during their combined Courts of Honor last Friday, joined the brotherhood of Eagle Scouts. It’s the highest of award in Scouting. By today’s standards, less than 3 percent of all boys who join Scouting achieve this pinnacle.
Most appropriately, the ceremony came during the week that commemorated Boy Scout Week, which ran Feb. 3 through 9. At 103 years old, the Boy Scouts is among America’s most time-tested organizations.
And, with their achievements, they took a vow — the Eagle Scout Pledge — to be good citizens to help other people and to be indiscriminate in that assistance of race, color and creed.
It is said, “Scouting builds character,” and these young men have proven they are all-American youth, by standards assigned by the National Association of the Boy Scouts of America.
The Eagle Scout trail helped hone their skills of the outdoors, technology, finance and, above all, to put others first.
In becoming Eagles, they join an elite brotherhood of fellow Eagle Scouts who share a common bond to help others achieve the same. Because of their accomplishments they will be held to a higher standard, and this they pledged to match and not bring dishonor to themselves or other Eagles.
Yes, there is an Eagle Scout obligation to walk the line, and in time they will give back to their troop, No. 1970.
However, from what I saw Friday evening, these fine young men will continue to bring honor unto their ranks.
Consider these other Eagle Scouts:
Neil Armstrong, astronaut; Michael Bloomberg, NYC mayor; James Brady, former President Reagan press secretary; Michael Dukakis, former presidential candidate; Gerald Ford, former president; Steve Fossett, explorer; Bill Gates, Microsoft CEO; James Lovell, former astronaut; Ross Perot, Rick Perry, former presidential candidates; Donald Rumsfeld, former defense secretary; Steven Spielberg, movie director, and William Westmoreland, former defense secretary. These are just a few who walk with Eagle Scout pins on their lapels.
Certainly, these are great Americans, but so are these young men who now begin a journey to even greater accomplishments. For these three young men, and all who rise above the rest, the Eagle Scout rank is not the termination of a trek, but a beginning of a journey that will last a lifetime.
Their Eagle Scout projects helped to better Libby and, ultimately, the lives of their fellow residents.
Utilizing their leadership skills to accomplish their Eagle service projects, Caleb and his helpers refurbished Jerry Dean Park pavilion, its walking trails and picnic tables. Mark and his charges painted 153 fire hydrants in and around Libby, and Mike led a crew that provided a shed at the Libby tennis courts, all terrific endeavors that bettered our community.
Great projects by terrific future leaders. Congratulations, Eagles, and welcome to the brotherhood.
(Alan Lewis Gerstenecker is editor of The Western News. His column appears weekly.)