90 year old Eagle

[FScouter]

Last night our district had our annual recognition dinner. One of the awards given was to a 90 year old gentleman who had earned his Eagle rank in 1927. Last year he attended an Eagle court of honor for a boy in his church. Afterwards commented to the district Eagle counselor that he had once earned Eagle rank, but no longer had his medal. It seems at some point after he left his boyhood home in Devils Lake North Dakota, his medal and certificate were lost. He very much regretted losing his medal so many years ago.

 

Our Eagle counselor decided to see if it could be replaced. He wrote to National for advice, then initiated research to track down the original Council records. After several month of correspondence and phone calls, he was able to verify the dates that this gentleman had earned the award. National approved a repacement award. And it was at our dinner that he was presented with his new medal, almost 75 years after receiving his first one.

 

Of course he was expected to make a speech, and using his cane, hobbled up to the podium. Although not active in scouting since a youth, he eloquently spoke at length about how the principles of the scout law and oath influenced him throughout his life. And how the Scouting program today is more important than ever for our youth. Of course when he finished he received a long, long, standing ovation.

 

It is scouting moments like this that keep me charged up.

 

[eisely]

Thanks for sharing this story.

[sctmom]

Great story. sniff, sniff, let me wipe my eyes.

That had to have been so touching to witness. Both that others cared enough to track down how to give this man his award and to hear him speak.