April 22, 2008

Five Scouts ascend to Eagle status
Court of Honor marks transition to higher rank

By KATHY GRAY
of The Dalles Chronicle

     When five Boy Scouts are promoted to Eagle Scout all at the same time, people are likely to take notice, particularly fellow Eagle Scouts like U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Oregon).
     Walden was in attendance at Calvary Baptist Church as keynote speaker Saturday afternoon, when David Stiles, Judah Kennedy, Logan McElroy, Brian Thompson, all of The Dalles, and Clinton Faulconer, Goldendale all earned their Eagles.
     Walden told the boys that they join good company, including astronaut Neil Armstrong, baseball slugger Hank Aaron, President Gerald Ford, entrepreneur H. Ross Perot, film maker Steven Spielberg, and businessman Sam Walton.
     “Three out of four leaders in business, religion and politics in the nation started out as scouts,” Walden said.
     While the audience was there to celebrate these five Scouts’ achievements, they were also there to cheer them on to the next phase of their lives, Walden said.
     “An Eagle Scout accepts a lifelong quest that dictates he always choose the high road,” Walden said. “Scouting places high value on personal responsibility, good judgment and service to others.”
     The ceremony, known as a Court of Honor, was steeped in scouting tradition, including recitation of the Boy Scout oath and law, and the Eagle Scout pledge and charge.
     Prior to their promotion, the Scouts had to complete Eagle projects. All have served in various positions of leadership in their troop and the larger Scout organization.The program for the event also acknowledged their scouting accomplishments:
     Clinton Faulconer
     Faulconer refurbished the beef area at the Klickitat County Fairgrounds. He has earned 37 merit badges, attended five summer camps and has 76 nights of camping. In July 2005, he attended the National Jamboree. He plans to attend Perry Tech this fall in Yakima, Wash.
     Brian Thompson
     Thompson designed and built new shelving for the band room at The Dalles Wahtonka High School. He has earned 21 merit badges, attended four summer camps and has 61 nights of camping. He plans to study theology at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn.
     Logan McElroy
     McElroy worked on wildlife habitat along the Riverfront Trail. He has earned 35 merit badges, attended six summer camps, and has over 100 nights of camping. He plans to pursue a career in the military.
     Judah Kennedy
     Kennedy built and landscaped raised garden beds at a home for the mentally handicapped. He has earned 22 merit badges, attended three summer camps and has 37 nights of camping. He is also president of the Young Republicans and a partner in a lawn maintenance firm. He is interested in law enforcement and mechanics.
     David Stiles
     Stiles refurbished the outdoor picnic tables at Sorosis park, as well as removing ashes from the barbecue pits there. He has earned 27 merit badges, attended four summer camps, and has 89 nights of camping. He has earned the spiritual leadership award and in July 2208 attended the National Jamboree.