Eagle Scout Ceremony

Our oldest son had his Eagle Scout Ceremony on Saturday afternoon. 

His Eagle Project was to build a set of risers (or steps) onto the existing stage in the fellowship hall of our church.

His original Eagle Project had been approved by the district, but when he went through the county permit office, the project was denied, and he had to start again, from scratch.  At the time of the denial, he was 17 years old.  He had less than a year left to find a project, get it approved and carry it out.

I have to say, I have never seen him so motivated.  He found a new project and had it approved by the end of April.  It passed through the county permit office in May, and he began fundraising in June.

He carried his Eagle Scout project out on the third weekend in August - hey wait- that was the exact same weekend that we held his Eagle Scout Ceremony!

And then, he had to wade through the write-up.   His birthday is in January, and he didn't finish the write-up until December. 

He had his scoutmaster conference a week before his 18th birthday, and turned his paperwork in three days before his birthday.  Our advancement chair turned the paperwork in the very next day.  Good thing, too.  As he was leaving the Council office, it started to snow.  The area roads were shut down and schools were closed for the next two days!

His ceremony was wonderful.  All of his living grandparents were there.  His Eagle Advisor was there.  His co-workers from the Boy Scout Camp where he works during the summer were there.  And we all had a great time, talking, laughing, and reminiscing.

So much work on his part.  So many things went wrong, and yet, it all came together in the end.  Preserverance saw him through the project.  Like the rest of life, the race is not always won by the fastest, but by the one who sticks through, until the very end.

Congratulations, son.  I am very proud of you!