Family creates an Eagle Scout dynasty

[BrentAllen]

Hes the last of the Ducote Eagle Eight, a lineage that began two decades ago.

 

Jeff Ducote, an 18-year-old senior at Marist School, was officially recognized Saturday as an Eagle Scout, following in the footsteps of brothers Rich, Brian, Gary, Justin, Greg, Mark and Brent.

 

He looked up to his older brothers and knew he had to get it done, said Mark Ducote, now a student at Georgia Tech.

 

The Ducotes all earned Scoutings highest rank while at Troop 434 at All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody.

 

Their father, Richard Ducote, helped start the troop in 1986, then quickly handed off to Jerry Travers, who remains Scoutmaster today.

 

With so many boys, we just wanted to keep them focused and on the right path, the father said. They learn to be leaders at a very young age.

 

Richard and Teresa Ducotes two oldest sons, Rich and Brian, were among the troops first five Scouts and reached the organizations highest rung after four years. Their siblings followed, earning their Eagles in 1994, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005 and this year.

 

Thats where it ends. The Sandy Springs familys ninth child is a girl, Katelyn.

 

Eight Eagle Scout brothers at one troop requires a confluence of rare circumstances.

 

The family has to be large, and nearly all its offspring male, and they have to stay put for a long time. Each brother has to buy into Scoutings tenets, which havent changed in 100 years to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

 

Theres always been a Ducote in front of our troop, said Assistant Scoutmaster Andrew Torgrimson during the ceremony, conducted in front of a fireplace blaze at the churchs lodge-like Scout hut. We cant tell the history of Troop 434 without talking about the Ducotes.

 

During the ceremony, Travers recounted Jeff Ducotes trail to the Eagle a hike, a rafting trip, a knot-tying screw-up.

 

Candles were lit for each value important to scouts. Richard Ducote put the blue Eagle Scout kerchief around his sons neck. His mother pinned him with a medal. A card from the White House was read.

 

Jeff Ducote hopes to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., like three of his brothers.

 

Scouting gave me an experience Ill never forget, he said as the ceremony drew to a close. It helped me grow from a boy to a young man.

 

Jeff got a good laugh from the attendees during his acceptance speech, apologizing for taking up so much time in thanking his parents and each family member individually.

 

At a reception was held in the Knights of Columbus Hall at All Saints, Grand Knight Lou Hlad presented the Ducotes with a Family of the Year certificate in recognition of their untiring support of Scouting, the military, and their community by virtue of the Christian family values instilled in their nine wonderful children.

 

During the reception, Jeff and his brothers signed two Ducote Eagle Eight troop flags, presenting one to their mother, and the other to Travers.

 

Several other Troop 434 Eagle recipients attended, including Sean Horigan, Patrick Bentley, Patrick Horigan, Craig Yarbrough, Chris Pruner, Michael Buckley and Jon Schweiger.

 

Along with Travers, The Court of Honor was presented by former Troop 434 Assistant Scoutmasters Andrew Torgrimson, Greg McCabe and Mike Yarbrough. Current members of Troop 434, including Assistant Scoutmaster Ed Cerbone, along with Senior Patrol Leader Joshua Montgomery, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Christopher Travers led the Scout Oath and Scout Law. It was a poignant moment as the Ducote family stood, saluted smartly and recited the Oath and Law in unison.

 

In addition to the Eagle Award and certificate Jeff received several letters of congratulations, including a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol, an acknowledgement letter sent by U.S. Rep. Tom Price, and a resolution written by state Sen. Dan Weber (R-Dunwoody). Congratulations were also received from President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.

 

DeKalb County Commissioner Elaine Boyer also acknowledged the occasion. A letter from city of Dunwoody Councilman Danny Ross read in part:

 

we only have to look to your own family to find fine leaders who earned the right to be an Eagle Scout. You have to be extremely proud to have met both the challenges of scouting and the high standard of excellence established by your seven older brothers. You have brought honor to yourself, your family and to All Saints Troop 434. You and your family is what makes our country great and will make our new city of Dunwoody great.

 

The Ducote Eagle Eight have carried the principles they learned in scouting far beyond the humble confines of Troop 434s Scout Hut. Here is a brief snapshot of the Ducote family:

 

Rich Ducote, 34, graduated from Marist in 1993 and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1997. He served for nine years in the United States Army and received several awards, including the Bronze Star with V for valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4), Combat Infantrymans Badge, Ranger, Airborne, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

 

Brian Ducote, 32, graduated from Marist in 1995, and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1999. Brian is on active duty and serves as a major in the United States Army. Brian is the recipient of the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, MacArthur Leadership Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal (2), Combat Infantrymans Badge, Expert Infantrymans Badge, Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, and Overseas Service Ribbon.

 

Gary Ducote, 29, graduated from Marist in 1997, and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 2001. Gary served for six years in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Captain. He has received numerous awards, including the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal, Ranger, Airborne, Combat Action Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Medal. Gary Ducote led his unit as co-grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade.

 

Justin Ducote, 26, graduated from Marist in 2001 and Auburn University in 2005. He is on active duty as 1st Lieutenant in the Alabama National Guard. Justin has received the Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Medal.

 

Greg Ducote, 24, graduated from Marist in 2003 and the University of Georgia in 2007. He is the athletic director for the YMCA in Athens. During the summer, Greg assumes responsibilities as the program director for the Athens Y Camp in Tallulah Falls where he has worked for seven years.

 

Mark Ducote, 22, graduated from Marist in 2005 and attends Georgia Tech. He is scheduled to graduate with the class of 2009.

 

Brent Ducote, 21, graduated from Marist in 2006 and attends the University of Georgia. He is scheduled to graduate with the class of 2010.

 

Jeff Ducote, 18, represents the final recipient of the brothers Eagle Award. Jeff is in the Marist class of 2009, and is the defensive captain of the Marist varsity football team. He is also a member of the Marist varsity wrestling team.

 

The youngest member of the family, Katelyn, attends Marist, plays volleyball year round, and is looking forward to graduating in 2011.

 

The Ducotes have lived in Dunwoody for 22 years. Richard is the co-founder and Managing Partner of SDF International, Inc., a management consulting company.

 

Our children have been blessed with their mother, men like Jerry Travers and the other Troop 434 Scout leaders, grandparents, teachers, coaches, priests, and good role models from all walks of life, Richard Ducote said.