is any one at THR an Eagle Scout

[waterhouse]

In NY we wore jeans and a scout shirt, we got things done and made many merit badges. In Mass we had more inspections and recitation than knot tying or learning to whittle.

That's a real shame, and one of the more common complaints I hear from guys reminiscing about scouting. Some people you run into say things like "it was great, I learned so much about the outdoors and first aid," and others say, "I hated it. They were always telling us how important the correct socks were."

Some Leaders just seem to "get it." I joined a Sea Scouting post in high school, and our leader was all about sailing and the necessary knowledge. Our uniforms were a polo shirt and jeans, and we never learned how to march or what the different toots on a boatswain's whistle meant. Some of the other Posts in the area wore full dress uniforms and knew the entire Semaphore alphabet, but they didn't know how to trim a sail or use a VHF radio. They knew how to tie all of the knots, but they didn't know why one would choose a certain knot over another.

Scouting, like many things in life, is strongly dependent on the leadership qualities of those in charge.

 

[kungfuhippie]

^^^^+1000

When I had good leaders scouting was fun. We learned, but we didn't go overboard. We went on hikes and camped and did great service projects. We competed at local scouting events and often won. I was proud to be part of Troop 27.
When we got leaders that just wanted to be our friends and not lead we quit doing all the fun stuff I joined scouting to do. Instead, we played basket ball every week and when we went camping the few times it involved a tv/vcr combo and a generator and often times a play station. Forget about hiking or anything like that.

 

[blackguns]

Eagle 1996,

In scouting from Cub on up. Would NOT have stuck with it without my family supporting me. My father was a Scoutmaster and I was often the SPL of our troop.

We had a small troop with a huge heart, we had several involved parents and often assisted other troops in getting to events and activities. We had a great mix of activities, raft regattas, Klondike derbys, campouts, Hiking trips, I was/am a vigil member of the AO, My father and I completed a Trek at Philmont. Greatest times of my life. The pictures and awards still decorate my fathers office to this day.

Scouting has taken a PR beating lately, but I can say without reservation that is one of the greatest things a young man can be involved in.

Scouting taught me many skills (including an introduction to firearms, all shooting merit badges) and has touched the lives of millions of young men in a very positive way

 

[rargos]

Became an Eagle Scout in 1982 ...

..and am an avid shooter. My son is now in Cub Scouts and I'm already getting him ready for his Rifle and Shotgun merit badges (amazed that they still have those in this "politically correct" age).

I think Scouting is the single best thing a boy can be involved in. Some packs/troops are better than others and (like everything else in life) there may be a few issues with various people/policies from time to time, but it's definitely been a major influence on my life.

Aside from teaching a lot of practical skills, Scouting does what so few other activities do these days : it teaches young men what it means to be a good *citizen*, to love one's country, and to appreciate the rights and responsibilities that come with living here.

 

[Javelin2235]

Eagle, class of '98
I learned VAST amounts.

I have many FOND memories of my time. Worked as camp staff for a couple summers...

I may have to look up the local troop...
-Jack

 

[Glock22]

I am an Eagle Scout only because my leaders kept pushing me. I did my whole project in the three weeks before my 18th birthday, and it was turned in 12 hours before I turned 18.

 

[kcmarine]

Class of 2006 Troop 314, Platte Woods, Missouri.

 

[Davo]

So Ive got to mention this on this thread. Remember when we got our Eagle we recieved letters of achievement from public officials?
I recieved a certificate from Gerald Ford. A couple years ago, shortly before Mr. Ford passed away I had the opportunity to provide medical care to him.
I had some alone time with him, and told him that I was an Eagle Scout, and that I appreciated the letter I had recieved from him. He was mildly amused.
Then we talked football, which he still kept up on. Just one of those little stories...

 

[learn2shoot]

Nearly forgot-
I am now a merit badge counselor for Public Speaking, Rifle and Shotgun merit badges

If you live in the DC area and want this badge call me

 

[redbone]

Sep 24, 1969 - signed by Richard M. Nixon.

 

[kungfuhippie]

Mine was signed by Mr. William Jefferson Clinton
I have 3 or 4 letters from him. My eagle project was the installation of a flag pole at a local church. Got free flags from from the capitols (both state and fed.) and they came with letter signed by the Governor and the Commander in Chief. Also got one from Slick Willy in grade school for some reason.

 

[RangerGrant]

February 1970 for me. My card is signed by Nixon.

Best, RG

 

[Ash]

Mine is signed by George HW Bush. Got it in 1990.

Ash

Oh, and Merit Badge Counselor for
Pioneering
Forestry
Personal Fitness
Camping
Hiking

 

[Ash]

My scoutmaster was a retired Army Captain who played on the 1961 Alabama Football Team and did a season with the Broncos. He kept a ship-shape troop with proper uniforms and the like. But also took us on a camp-out every month, took us to the Pensacola Naval Air Station once a year for the weekend, backpacking in the mountains, etc. We had an absolute blast (and won 6 out of 7 camporees when I was there). He believed strongly in the boys running the troop. He preached that the Patrol Leader was the most important leader in the troop, akin to the 1st Sgt in a platoon. Sure, senior-patrol leader ran the meetings, organized the activities on a camp-out, but the patrol-leader planned the meals for his patrol, wrote out a shopping list, bought the food with the patrol, established fire, cooking, and cleaning duties, ordered the patrol campsite, and many other things. That was one heck of a way to run a troop.

Ash

 

[RedAlert]

I'm an Eagle Scout also...

I was awarded my Eagle Scout on 17 Sept 1964. The Honorary President then was President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Lot of water under the bridge since then, but I've never regretted the efforts to achieve that rank and the things I learned there both practical and moral have been of good service ever since.

My two brothers also made Eagle Scout. As far as I know they too respect the rank and value the lessons.

Ralph

 

[SilentArmy]

Eagle class of 1990
Troop 1 Logan Utah

I had excellent leaders who are in many ways responsible for who I am today. 13 yrs of Military service helped a bit too!

 

[theboondocksaints22]

i am glad to see that there are so many eagle scouts here . My parents are tring to track down some grips for my srpingfield 1911 with the eagle scout badge on them any idea where i could find some .

 

[10 Ring Tao]

Scouting is the single best thing I did during my minor life. All because of scouting:

I've backpacked 200+ miles in three states.
SCUBA dived all up and down the florida keys.
Sailed an 85 foot schooner up and down the keys.
Built wood duck houses for my city.
Been part of international and national jamborees with scouts from all over the world.
Shot guns for the first time.

And certainly not least of all, learned how to not be a whiny douchebag.

Eagle, two palms. Unfortunately, mine is signed by klinton.

Brotherhood in the OA.

Currently an assistant scoutmaster, the troop's medical dude, and one of the firearms instructors/advisors for our bi-annual shooting weekend campouts. Not to brag, but I'm proud of what my troop has become since I started as a 6th grader. We average just over 100 boys with at least 50 active adults in support, have an annual operating budget of about $120,000, and instituted shooting weekend campouts.

 

[Hanzerik]

I made Eagle Scout back in 1987, a few months before my 18th.
Worked for three years (86-88) on a couple SoCal summer camps as a Rifle Range Counselor. Also helped out with the Archery when we had downtime on the Rifle Range. Pay sucked, but damn did I get to shoot alot . Won two national BSA postal matches the first two years, came in third the last year with a 198. I have been in contact with the NRA recently to get photo copies of the awards (20 years later). It’s amazing what they keep in archives.

 

[jcramin]

I only remember my dad crying 3 maybe 4 times in my life so far and when I was presented with my Eagle that was one of them times.

What I remember most from Scouts is Philmont and being tapped out for OA the same time my dad was tapped out.

And for you younger boys who went into OA in recent (Guide to Safe Scouting) years, may not know what a REAL TAPOUT was, but it was the scariest moment of my Scouting carrear.

As I mentioned in a earlier post I have 41 merit badges and 4 palms. I made Eagle at 16. I am also lucky enough to have a son that wants to out do me in every way with his Scouting. He turned 12 in July and will be a Life Scout in November with 22 merit badges, so I have no doubt he will out do me. He also told me that I will be going to Philmont again.

 

[Ash]

"And certainly not least of all, learned how to not be a whiny douchebag."

Amen and preach on!

Didn't mention Brotherhood in the OA, but I also got the 75 anniversary "Golden Turtle and Arrow" to go with it. But, alas, no crossed palms. I spent quite a while as a Star Scout enjoying scouting. The backpacking trips, the Naval Air Station, many other things...

Assistant Scoutmaster At Large at the present. I actually work with troops in a pretty large area. I've taught Forestry and Tree ID in North Alabama, Orienteering in South Alabama, Forestry in South Mississippi, and others. Because I keep my registration current, my nephews, friend's sons, client's grandsons, etc, get me into their trips as either another adult leader or an instructor.

A well-run troop is bar none one of the absolute best things a boy can go through. I like sports, but my highschool soccer and football didn't prepare me nearly enough to be a man than Scouting. And, at least for now, Scouting still believes in that anti-PC thing about boys growing up to be good, solid, responsible Men.

Ash

 

[45crittergitter]

Yessir. Many moons ago.

 

[chink]

Since we are listing all the other thing, Ordeal in the OA, no palms, currently the Scoutmaster in a troop I helped started on 2006. That was a lot more work than I had thought it would be. As a boy I helped start a troop in 1990 (3/10/1990 was the first meeting and I was one of 11 that day). I appreciated what my parents effort more now because I am trying to juggle the things going on in my life and I don't even have kids yet.

I applaud all the parents that are actively involved in whatever their kids are doing being scouting, sports, anything. I can barely get where I need to be on time without trying to get kids ready and out the door. Parents has to worry about themselves and the kids.

 

[C Puller]

Earned Eagle in 1983. All that I have learned has served me well and has kept my a__ out of the fire more times than I care to count. Semper Fi

 

[ssjones]

1977. Not sure who signed my card or where it is at - good reminder to check my parents house for these things. Troop 14, Smithsburg MD. Mason-Dixon region (?). OA too, but just a Vigil member for a short while. Still have my one and only OA region scarf. My first job ended my scouting program. Two daughters, neither was interested. My Pop was a merit badge counselor for many years.

I also have a large container of scouting patches. Probably should snag that from my parents house as well.

Interestingly, my Eagle project is still visible. The Appalachian Trail just South of Fort Ritchie crosses a highway. The trail down an steep embankment still has my railroad tie steps. My buddy and I did both of our projects at the same time. I helped him put in a footbridge over the watershed creek using two railroad ties. That has since been replaced with a more permanent structure. Guess it would be a good idea to snap a photo of mine before time takes it away.