John Ryan Eagle Ceremony

John's first Troop 374 Scoutmaster, Rick Loechl called the Ceremony to order.

The troop came in quietly behind the American Flag.  The honor guards brought John and his parents in.

The candles representing the scout law were lit.  Everything seemed to be running smoothly.  Suddenly, one of the life scouts interrupted and asked for substantiation of John's credentials.  It was proved that John had met the requirements.  But then another younger ranking scout stood up and asked for verification of John's quest for Eagle Scout, then another, then another.  Each time, one of the troop committee or the scoutmaster were able to vouch for John's accomplishments.

The ceremony then seemed to return to an orderly flow.

But then Scott Beisner, a scout who earned Eagle while with Troop 374 almost ten years ago stood up and requested answers about John.  Did John have ALL of the credentials needed to become an Eagle?  Next thing you know all of the Troop 374 Eagles present were standing front and center listening carefully to the accounts of John's scouting journey.

Everyone was fully satisfied with the responses.  Troop Committee Chairman Pat Neal leads John in the Oath.  John's mother pins the medal on John.  John's father completes the Eagle uniform by placing the Eagle Neckerchief over John's shoulders.

Scoutmaster Tim Byam shows the audience the plaque that names every Troop 374 Eagle, which now includes John.  Tim shows the audience a notebook including all of John's merit badge cards, plus five dozen congratulatory letters, each written by officials from every level of local, county, state and federal government.  Letters from President Bush and the Pope were among those presented to John.

Following the reception, everyone headed to fellowship hall for a great reception.

This page last reviewed and/or updated 04/25/2007 09:44 PM