Opening Ceremony                                                                         Eagle Patrol

Eagle Scout                                                                        Jeffrey M. Johnston

Jonathan Graham Ripperton

Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.

Taking care of our planet is like taking care of our houses. Since we human beings come from Nature,  there is no point in our going against nature,  which is why I say  the environment is not a matter of religion or ethics or morality.  These are luxuries, since we can survive without them.  But we will not survive if we continue to go against nature.

Two men were walking along a crowded sidewalk in a downtown business area. Suddenly one exclaimed,  "Listen to the lovely sound of that cricket!"  But the other could not hear.  He asked his companion how he could detect the sound of a cricket  amidst the din of people and traffic.  The first man, who was a zoologist, had trained himself  to listen to the voices of nature,  but he did not explain.  He simply took a coin out of his pocket and dropped it on the sidewalk,  whereupon a dozen people began to look about them.  "We hear," he said, "what we listen for."

He who remembers from day to day what he has yet to learn, and from month to month what he has learned already, may be said to have a love of learning.

He who learns but does not think, is lost.
He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing,
while others judge us by what we have already done.

Affirmation of life is the spiritual act by which man ceases to live unreflectively and begins to devote himself to his life with reverence in order to raise it to its true value. To affirm life is to deepen, to make more inward, and to exalt the will to live.

You should not be content with sitting down to defend yourselves against evil habits, but should also be active in doing good.  By 'doing good' I mean making yourselves useful and doing small kindnesses to other people - whether they are friends or strangers.

The first responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to live with honor. To an Eagle Scout, honor is the foundation of all character. He knows that “A Scout is trustworthy” is the very first point of the Scout Law for a god reason. An Eagle Scout lives honorably, not only because honor is important to him but because of the vital significance of the example he sets to other Scouts. Living honorably reflects credit on his home, his church, his troop, and his community. May the white of the Eagle badge remind you always to live with honor.

The second obligation of an Eagle Scout is loyalty. A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation. His loyalty to his troop and brother Scouts makes him pitch in and carry his share of the load. All of these help to build the loyalty that means devotion to community, to country, to ones own ideals, and to God. Let the blue of your badge always inspire your loyalty.

The third obligation of an Eagle Scout is to be courageous. Courage has always been a quality by which men measure themselves and others. To a Scout, bravery means not only the courage to face physical danger, but also the determination to stand up for the right. Trusting in God, with faith in his fellowman, he looks forward to each day, seeking his share of the world’s work to do. Let the red of your badge remind you always of courage.

The fourth obligation of an Eagle Scout is to be cheerful. To remind the Eagle Scout to always wear a smile, the red, white, and blue ribbon is attached to the scroll of the Second Class Scout award, which has its ends turned up in a smile.

The final responsibility of an Eagle Scout is service. The Eagle Scout extends a helping hand to those who still toil up Scouting’s trail, just as others helped him in his climb to the Eagle. The performance of the daily Good Turn takes on new meaning when he enters a more adult life of continuing service to others. The Eagle stands as a protector of the weak and helpless. He aids and comforts the unfortunate and the oppressed. He upholds the rights of others while defending his own. He will always “Be Prepared” to put forth his best.

You deserve much credit for achieving Scouting’s highest award. But wear your award with humility, ever mindful that the Eagle Scout is looked up to as an example. May the Scout Oath and the Scout Law be your guide for tomorrow and onward.

I have the honor to give you the Eagle Scout 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 as being worthy of this honor. All who know you rejoice in your achievement.

Your position, as you well know, is one of honor and responsibility. You are a marked man. As an Eagle Scout, 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 yourself and to your fellow Scouts.

America has many good things to give you and your children after you; but these good things depend on 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 to undertake your citizenship with a solemn dedication. Be a leader, 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 fellow man. 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 brains to exploit others and to gain selfish ends. I charge you 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 you do, you will leave behind you a record of which every other Scout may be justly proud.

Scout Nathan, you will rededicate yourself by repeating the Scout Oath. Repeat it slowly as you stand before the three lighted candles. -- each one representing one of the parts of the Oath. Resolve to uphold forever its principles with the same ambition and perseverance that have brought you this far.

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.

Your conduct along the trail has been excellent. You have rededicated yourself to the principles of Scouting. But one more thing is important -- your future.

As an Eagle Scout, you become a guide to other Scouts. 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 responsibility would reflect not only on you, but on your fellow Eagles and all of Scouting. The torch you carry is not only yours, but is also ours.

Eagle Scout Oath

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.

from the Scoutmaster's Minute

... May you enjoy the blessings of hard work and continued success all your days.