Troop honors four Eagle Scouts
Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Thatcher of Boy Scout Troop 1971 reminded the unit’s latest Eagle Scouts of their responsibilities during their Court of Honor Saturday, telling them they now are “marked men who must live up to the honor of the rank and all those who came before them.”
Thatcher and Scoutmaster Frank Votapka lauded Eagle Scouts Lance Ehmann, Patrick Faulkner, Adam Kirschenmann and Austin Nagle for their accomplishments in reaching the pinnacle of Scouting’s highest and least-achieved rank. Thatcher shared anecdotal stories of each boy’s early years culminating with examples of their growth in leadership and ascension to Eagle Scout.
About 3 percent of all boys who join Scouting achieve Eagle Scout, so to have four from the same troop at about the same time is a testament to their dedication, those of their leaders and their supportive parents.
Speaking for all four boys, Faulkner thanked those who helped the four achieve the rank to overcome obstacles that beset teenage boys as they reach young adulthood. Faulkner’s message was particularly noteworthy because he overcame a tragic automobile accident nearly three years ago.
En route to the rank of Eagle Scout, they advanced from Scout to Tenderfoot, to Second Class, to First Class, Star, Life and ultimately Eagle Scout.
Along the way, Scouts achieve requirements of each rank, earn leadership positions, while acquiring required merit badges for advancement such as First Aid, Personal Finance, Citizenship in the Community, Nation and World. There are elective merit badges that are pursued en route to accumulating a minimum total of 21 merit badges needed to attain Eagle Scout.
Also, the Scouts must complete a community-service project. They must coordinate fundraising and manage to completion of the project.
Ehmann’s project was the construction of a concession stand at the UServe Libby tennis courts.
Faulkner’s project was refurbishing the gazebo on the Asa Wood grounds.
Kirschenmann’s project was refurbishing and staining buildings at Turner Mountain Ski Area.
Nagle’s Eagle Scout project was refurbishing the Parmenter Creek Trail located behind Libby High School. Nagle rebuilt, repaired and repainted the informative kiosks and replaced the signs.
In addition to receiving their Eagle Scout medals, Scouts received letters of congratulations from the Boy Scouts of America National Office, the Montana BSA Council, Sheriff Roby Bowe, Mayor Doug Roll and Gov. Steve Bullock.
Faulkner, a Catholic, also received a letter of recognition from Pope Francis.
The troop, which is chartered through the American Legion, also received letters of congratulations from the VFW.
Commemorative American flags, flown over the U.S. Capitol, were given to each Eagle Scout. Kirschenmann’s flag was raised over the Capitol on Dec. 18, his 18th birthday.