Jonathan C. May
Eagle Ceremony
2-24-07
Eagle Scout
The Scouts gave you a challenge,
And you've met it faithfully my friend,
But it's quite hard to understand
Just all it will mean in the end.
An Eagle Scout, you've reached the top,
Or have you only just begun?
I'm betting that you will not stop
With so much glory to be won.
For life holds out a challenge too,
A mountain high for you to scale,
And with the training Scouts gave you,
There's really no such word as fail.
And so as you press on ahead,
You'll find it's made much work like play,
And as the tasks before you spread,
They'll find you ready, so I'll say.
Congratulations Eagle Scout,
The world before you now is spread,
Scouts taught you much what life's about,
Prepared you well for what's ahead.
Senior Patrol Leader Conducting the Flag Ceremony
Opening Prayer
Pastor Rachel Mithelman
SCOUT OATH AND SCOUT LAW CANDLE CEREMONY
Duty to
God and country; Duty to others;
and Duty to self.”
The Scout Law
A Scout is........
A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.
A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.
A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.
A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.
A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.
A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.
A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
Bob
Keiler
“Today
we have the honor and pleasure of recognizing Jonathan Charles May for the award
of Eagle Scout. The parents and
Scout Leaders of Jonathan have labored long and faithfully to develop him
towards responsible citizenship through the Boy Scout Program.
Their efforts now culminate in the presentation of the Eagle Award.
The success of these efforts, however, will only be manifested in the way
this new Eagle lives and how he touches the lives of others”.
“Honor
Guard , please escort before this Court of Honor, Eagle Candidate Jonathan
Charles May.”
Adam
escorts Jonathan to the altar..
“The presentation of the Eagle Award is an important and serious matter. It is a goal toward which this Scout has been working for many years and is the culmination of the efforts of his parents and Scout leaders. This is an occasion for pride and for joy, but is also a time for serious contemplation and reflection.”
“To
be eligible for candidacy for the Eagle Award, a scout must earn 21 Merit Badges
in various crafts and skills. Eleven
of these badges are required of the Boy Scouts of America.
Jonathan has earned 28 merit badges, was inducted into the Order of the
Arrow, and served actively in leadership positions in the troop as Patrol
Leader, Historian, and Order of the Arrow Representative.”
“Each
Eagle Candidate must plan and supervise an Eagle Service Project.
This Service Project demonstrates a Scout’s capacity and willingness to
exert his leadership ability in activities that are constructive and worthwhile
in his
“Jonathan
organized a Blood Drive, which occurred right here at
“After
a Scout has
“I would now like to introduce Rick Schultz, a former Scoutmaster of Troop 40. Rick sat on Jonathan’s Eagle Board and will report on the Board’s findings.”
Rick Schultz
“As
a member of the Board that reviewed Jonathan Charles May, I certify that after
investigation, interview and examination, the Board is of the opinion that this
Scout has demonstrated that he has held to the spirit of Scouting in his daily
living. Jonathan faithfully worked
toward and earned the Scout class ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First
Class, Star, and Life. He
successfully planned, developed and carried out a service project, and he has
demonstrated his leadership abilities. The
Board re
“The
Eagle Rank represents proficiency in all Scouting skills, and is obtained by
only about 5 percent of all young men in Scouting.
A few Notable Eagle Scouts are the late President Gerald Ford, Former CIA
Director Robert M. Gates, retired astronaut James A. Lovell Jr., James Stewart,
Steven Spielberg, Bill Bradley, Pro Basketball star and U. S. Senator from New
Jersey, and Walter Cronkite.
The
position of Eagle Scout is one of Honor and Responsibility. Jonathan, a few
moments ago, you joined your fellow Scouts in repeating the Scout Oath, words
you have repeated many, many times. Shortly,
you will stand alone and repeat a new oath, the Eagle Scout Promise.
Though the words you say are similar to those you’ve said so many times
before, today they will mean more to you than they ever have.
When you pledge yourself on your sacred honor, you will be sealing your
oath with the words which closed the Declaration of Independence.
Be
As
An Eagle, your first Obligation is to live with Honor.
You are a marked man, a leader; for good or ill, people will follow the
example you set. The White in the
Eagle Badge represents honor, and it is the sacred foundation of an Eagle
Scout’s character.
Let
the White of the Eagle badge remind you of honor.
Your
second Obligation is to be Loyal.
As a follower, you promised to be loyal to those above you.
Now, as a leader, you must be loyal to those below you.
The Blue in the Eagle Badge represents loyalty, your loyalty, for without
it, character lacks direction. Let
the Blue of the Eagle Badge remind you of loyalty.
Your
third Obligation as an Eagle Scout is to be Courageous.
Stepping into your new role as a leader, you will face many challenges
and obstacles. You must have the
courage to do what is right, whatever other people do or say.
The Red in the Eagle Badge represents courage, it gives your character
force and strength. You should do
your part in all things, regardless of danger, adversity and hardship.
Let the red of the badge remind you of courage.
The
fourth Obligation is Responsibility to serve others,
for a leader is a servant. Let the
practice of the daily good turn be
Your
final obligation as an Eagle Scout is to have vision.
As a leader, you must blaze your own trail.
Just as a bald eagle soaring high above the ground can look far into the
distance, so too must you look far into the future.
Let the silver eagle hanging from your badge remind you of vision.”
“I
would ask
John Brower, Charter Representative
“Jonathan,
I charge you to undertake your citizenship with 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 your fellow men. Do
your part to build
“Repeat
after me:
On
my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God.
On
my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to my country.
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,
And
make my rank and influence strongly count
For
better scouting and for better citizenship
In
my troop, in my
Regardless
of race, color, or creed.
To
this, I pledge my sacred honor.”
“I
would ask Steve Feeney, Scout Master of Troop 40, to
“Jonathan
Charles May, we are finally at the point that you have waiting for.
Having confirmed all readiness for the reception of this award, it is now
time to formally present this high badge of ac
“In
recognition of fatherly advice and guidance along the trail to the Eagle rank, I
will ask your father now to pin the badge of the Eagle Scout.”
“In
return, Jonathan, please present your father with this Eagle lapel pin”.
“No one will ever know the unnumbered acts of self-sacrifice from your mother. In recognition of her devotion, the court will now ask you to present her with a miniature pin.”
"Will your mother now present to you the Eagle Scout Scarf"
“Service and patient perseverance has been shown by your leaders as they helped you toward worthy manhood. 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 an Eagle Scout.”
Eagle Scout Certificate to Jonathan.
“It
gives me great pleasure to present to you Troop 40’s newest Eagle Scout,
Jonathan Charles May!”
