Herndon Eagle Ceremony - September 24 1994

Eagle Scout Court of Honor
for
ARIC HERNDON and YAN HERNDON

24 September, 1994

* 1:00 PM Early setup by photographers and John Herndon: Lighting adjusted in Chapel; lights off in Chancel; Back light on in Chancel stained glass; Cross illuminated; Microphones in place for on stage sound and "Voice of the Eagle" speaker.

* 3:15 PM Troop 9 Scouts assembled with Troop leaders in Scout room; Prepare for Flag Honor Guard.

* 3:50 PM March to outside front doors of Chapel.

* 4:00 PM Audience seated in Chapel; Photographer and Video camera operators in place.

OPENING:

1. Troop 9 4:00 PM

Enter Chapel with U.S. and B.S.A flags, escorting Eagle Candidates and Eagle Guards behind flag bearers.

Post flags, seat Eagle Candidates opposite in front pews, (Aric to Chancel side of left, front pew; Yan to Chancel side of right, front pew.)

Troop take places in pews behind Candidates, seated on command.

2. Lyman: Troop History

(Lyman be seated)

3. John: "Scouting is no doubt one of the greatest movements in the world to foster the highest ideals of citizenship. It is little wonder then that so many of our nations greatest leaders had some of their earliest leadership experiences in Scouting.

Now Scouting is changing, but ons thins remains constant and that is that the total development from boyhood to manhood depends upon physical, mental, and moral growth expressed in the Scout Oath. The skills are so demanding and the challenges are so great that it is not surprising to learn that only about 2 percent of all boys in Scouting achieve the rank of Eagle Scout each year.

When most boys enter Scouting they picture themselves as some day becoming Eagle Scouts, but as you know, there are just too many activities and interests clamoring for their attention an e flames that were burning aspirations dim to ashes and flicker away and they stop short.

What does the Eagle badge represent? :t means that a Scout has set a goal and worked to achieve that goal. The Eagle Scout badge is a symbol of what a boy has done but, more important, it represents what the boy will be in the future as he grows to manhood.

Today we have the honor and pleasure of bestowing the rank of Eagle Scout to two members of Troop 9. This presentation takes on added significance when one considers the tempo of the times. Maintaining this Republic is a fresh conquest for each generation. This is an important and serious matter and a cause for concern of every true American.

In full awareness of the challenge of the times, my wife and 1, as parents of these young men, and their Scout leaders have labored long and faithfully through the Boy Scout program to develop them toward alert and participating citizenship. Our efforts will culminate this evening in the presentation of their Eagle Scout Awards.

The success of these efforts will be manifest in the way that these and every other Eagle Scout set a social pattern for all those lives they touch."

"Would the Eagle honor Guards from Troop 820 and Troop 822 p1ease bring the Candidates forward." (John be seated)

4. Eagle Guard: Lead each candidate (Aric and Yan) forward from Chancel side of pews...Aric stands about 2' off and 2' back from lectern facing audience...Yan stands correspondingly beside Eagle pedestal facing audience. Eagle Guard turn together, stand behind and to outside of candidates (nearest pews) facing audience through Eagle oath.

5. Rev. Stanley: VOICE OF THE EAGLE

"The first responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to live with honor. An Eagle's honor is sacred. Honor is the foundation of all character. Character is what one really is down deep inside, not what someone thinks one is. An Eagle will so live that he reflects upon his home, his church, his school, his friends, and upon himself. May the white of your badge remind you to live with honor.

"The second obligation of an Eagle Scout is loyalty, without loyalty, all character lacks direction. An Eagle is loyal to his ideals. To thine own self be true, and it must follow as the night into day, thou cannot then be false to any man. Neither pain nor profit, pride nor personal loss shall swerve him in his loyalty. May the blue of your badge remind you to always be loyal.

"The third obligation of an Eagle Scout is courage. Courage gives all character force and strength. Trusting in God and with faith in his fellowman, he faces each day unafraid and seeks his share of the world's work to do. May the red of your badge remind you always of courage.

"The final obligation of an Eagle Scout is service. He extends a helping hand to those who still toil up the Scouting Trail he has just completed, just as others helped him in his achievement of the Eagle rank. The habit of the daily Good Turn must take on new meaning, and blossom forth in a life of service. He protects and defends the weak and helpless. He aids and comforts the unfortunate and the oppressed. He upholds the rights of others while demanding his own. His code of action is based upon the belief that real leadership must be founded upon real service. May the motto "Be Prepared" always remind you that as an Eagle you are among the best prepared to be of service to others. May the eagle suspended from the ribbon always remind you to perform that service when the opportunity presents itself."

(Rev. Stanley may be seated in back pew nearest door.)

SANKEY BLANTON: CHARGE TO THE EAGLES (stand front & center)

"Aric, and Yan...I have the honor to give you the Eagle charge on the occasion of your elevation to the highest rank in Scouting.

The Scouts of all nations constitute one of the most wholesome and significant movements in the world's history. You have been judged by the Boy Scouts of America of being worthy of the highest rank in this great movement. All who know you rejoice in your achievement.

Your positions, as you know, are ones of honor and responsibility. You are marked men. As Eagle Scouts, you have assumed a solemn obligation to do your duty to God, to country, to your fellow Scouts and to mankind in general. This is a great undertaking. As you live up to your obligations you bring honor to yourselves and to your brother Scouts.

America has many good things to give you and your children. But these good things depend for the most part on the quality of her citizens. Our country has had a great past. You can help make the future even greater.

I charge you, Aric Herndon; and I charge you Yan Herndon, to undertake your citizenship with a solemn dedication. Be leaders, but lead only toward the best. Lift up every task you do and every office you hold to the high level of service to God and to your fellowman. So live and serve, that those who know you will be inspired to finer living. We have too many who use their strength and their intelligence to exploit others and to gain selfish ends. I charge you, Aric and Yan, to be among those who dedicate their skills and ability to the common good.

Build America on the solid foundation of clean living, honest work, unselfish citizenship, and reverence for God; and, whatever others may do, you will leave behind a record of which every other Scout may be justly proud.

Aric and Yan, you will now rededicate yourselves by repeating the Scout Oath. Repeat it slowly, and remember the vows that have brought you this far."

7. ARIC & YAN: SCOUT OATH

"On my honor---I will do my best---to do my duty---to God and my country---and to obey the Scout Law---to help other people at all times---to keep myself physically strong---mentally awake---and morally straight." (Sankey be seated)

8. ERNIE PATTERSON:

"You have rededicated yourselves to the principles of Scouting, but one more thing is important. Your futures."

As Eagle Scouts, you become guides to other Scouts of lower rank. You become an example in your community. Remember, that your actions are now a little more conspicuous and people will expect more of you. To falter in your responsibilities, would not only reflect upon you, but on your fellow Eagles and all Scouting. The torch you carry is not only yours, but is ours also.

Aric, Yan, I challenge you to enter this eagle brotherhood, holding ever before you, without reservation, the ideals of honor and service, by the repetition of the Eagle Scout Promise before your fellow members, you will become an Eagle Scout. Though the words you use are similar to those by which you joined Scouting, they will mean more now than they could have meant at any time in the past. When you pledge yourself on your sacred honor you will be sealing your eternal loyalty to the code of the Eagle Scout, with the words which closed the Declaration of Independence.

Scouts, parents and guests, please stand......

9. ERNIE PATTERSON: EAGLE SCOUT OATH

"Aric and Yan, Scout sign, and repeat after me:

"I reaffirm my allegiance---to the three promises of the Scout Oath---I thoughtfully recognize and take upon myself---the obligations and responsibilities of the rank of Eagle Scout.

On my honor---I will do my best---to make my training an example--my rank and my influence---count strongly for better Scouting---and for better citizenship---in my troop and in my community---and in my contacts with other people---to this I pledge my sacred honor."

"By the authority vested in me by the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America, it is my privilege and pleasure to pronounce you both Eagle Scouts. May the oath you have taken remain graven on your hearts forever."

Scouts, parents and guests may be seated...."

10. ERNIE PATTERSON: EAGLE AWARD

"Will the parents of Aric and Yan please come forward."

(Ernie escorts Christiana, with John following, up on to the dais, walks through behind boys and faces audience...gives Eagle awards to John & Christiana who are in front of boys facing them.)

11. CHRISTIANA: Pins awards first on Aric, then on Yan.

12. ERNIE PATTERSON: PARENT'S PINS

"As your parents have guided you through the long trail to Eagle, I now present you with a mother's Eagle Scout pin for you to present to your mother. Pin it over your mother's heart in recognition of her love, encouragement, faith, and trust in your manhood. You are now an Eagle Scout, and as such may you never, never disappoint her.

13. ARIC & YAN: Together, pin Mom and give her a kiss!

14. ERNIE PATTERSON:

"I now present you with a father's Eagle Scout pin for you to present to your father. As you have climbed this trail, the years have rolled by, you have finally reached this peak. One day you will look back on this journey and thank your father for the guidance and confidence you needed to do your best."

15. ARIC & YAN:

Give pins to Dad in RIGHT hand, offer LEFT hand shake. (First Aric, then, Yan) (Parents and Ernie be seated.)

16. John Risk: EAGLE CERTIFICATES

"Aric, I am pleased to present you with your Eagle Scout Certificate, and the Eagle Scout Challenge. Yan, I am pleased also to present you with your Eagle Scout Certificate and the Eagle Scout Challenge. I am also proud to inform both of you there are currently two American flags being flown over the nation's capitol in your honor. These will be presented with a certificate of authenticity at a later date. Congratulations, Aric and Yan."

(John be seated)

17. REV. STANLEY: BENEDICTION

"Heavenly Father, we thank you for the interest in the Scouting movement that has brought this group together tonight. We thank you for the success of the Scouting movement in the United States since 1910. We are grateful for the influence that Troop 9 has had on the lives of boys since it held its first charter in 19 _. We pray for the continued blessings on this troop, its leaders, its troop committee, and its sponsor through the years ahead---that Troop 9 may continue to turn out leaders for tomorrow, prepared as good citizens."

(Rev. Stanley turns and walks to stand by kneeling bench.)

18. TROOP 9 & EAGLE GUARDS:

On command, Troop 9 stands at attention and faces flags.

New Eagles and Eagle guard turn and face flags.

Color Guard remove flags, march to front of audience: Stop.

All Scouts turn and face audience.

Color guard leads march from Chapel, followed by Aric and Yan and Eagle Guards while remaining Scouts exit pews toward audience.

Scouts fall in double line, zipper style and march to rear of Chapel and out of building followed by Scout leaders.

19. REV. STANLEY: CLOSING

"I now declare this National Court of Honor closed. You are dismissed and may join with me in congratulating Aric and Yan, Scouting's newest Eagle Scouts at a reception in the fellowship hall."