Geoff will be sitting at the piano before the start. Matt will be sitting in one of the chairs. All other Scouts will be in the back.
Tom: May I please have your attention. Good afternoon everybody. My name is Tom Leeman and I would like to thank you for coming today. I now invite Pastor Kevin Groder to open up with prayer. Would everybody stand, please? (Tom sits in a chair.)
Pastor: (Comes up, Amen, sits down).
Matt: Everybody please remain standing for the presentation of our nations flag. Color guard, march. (While colors march Geoff will play America the Beautiful. Scouts will place flags in stands and sit on the pew.) Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge to the flag…etc. (National Anthem will be played. Geoff Sits in pew.)
Good day. My name is Matt Wood and I’ll be your Master of Ceremonies today. Welcome to David Carpentier’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Would the Honor Guard Escort please come forward now so we may begin with the ceremony. (Bill, John, and I march up and stand at center stage.) You may be seated.
Would any Eagle Scouts sitting in the audience please stand up. Starting from here to there, please state when you became Eagle and with what troop. (They recite.) Thank you. You may be seated.
(Slight Pause) In order to earn the higher ranks in Scouting, a scout has to spend a great deal of time and effort. Therefore, the occasion that recognizes his accomplishments should be something special. Today, let’s follow the path of the Eagle Trail.
When a boy becomes a Scout, there is instilled within him something that we call the spirit of Scouting. Because the spirit of Scouting embodies the principles of the Scout Oath and Law, it is a shining beacon of inspiration.
Far away looms the hazy outline of a lofty Eagle Summit, flanked by lesser peaks that represent Star and Life. Yes, to the newcomer, they are a long way ahead, but they come a lot closer as the light from the spirit of scouting spreads.
The first Scout rank in scouting is Tenderfoot. Once inspired by the spirit of scouting he will not stay tender-of-foot- for long. Putting a few simple achievements behind him, he quickly climbs to the rank of Second Class Scout. Even though the requirements stiffen a bit, he keeps climbing until finally he tops the mountain ridge along the Eagle Trail where he receives his First Class rank. This is no place to rest on the Eagle Trail, for now he clearly sees the peaks ahead.
Now a broad mountain meadow of merit badges challenges him. He must gather six of them as he presses on toward Star Mountain. He is farther along the Eagle Trail than he thought he would ever be and he is proud of his progress. He realizes benefits that he has gained from his training for leadership and for service. The Life Scout rank, the next summit along the trail, seems far away. Our hiker rushes on, working, serving, and leading, and as he goes, he adds five more merit badges to his collection. The farther he climbs, the fewer companions he meets who are with him along the trail, and the more effort he expends. Moving on, our traveler has attained another peak.
Our new Life Scout has completed many accomplishments, but looking up, the Scout beholds yet another summit, the highest summit of the range. He knows it must be Eagle Summit about which he has heard so many stories. The trail leads on and upward. Now the pathway narrows and there are even fewer Scouts on it. Toward the summit, the path steepens considerably and winds along narrow ledges. Many tough spots will need to be overcome in order to conquer the last few miles. He must find and gather ten more merit badges. As he goes about that task, he is busy giving leadership to other Scouts who seek to climb the ranks of scouting. He is continually giving service to those who enjoy the trail but need a helping hand. Only those with real persistence and courage are able to gain the thrill of Eagle Summit.
Let me remind you that there are more mishaps in mountain climbing after reaching the top than there are on the trail upward. One who achieves the highest goal of scouting should never forget the rigor of the training that he has endured and the responsibilities of leadership and service that were a part of his success. Never forget that the Scout Law should always be fundamental in your life. There are twelve parts of the law. Bill Blanchette will now recite the Scout Law and give the meaning of each point. (Matt sits in chair and Bill moves to podium.)
Bill: (Say Law.) A Scout is Trustworthy…etc.
A Scout is Trustworthy: A Scout tells the truth. He is honest and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him.
A Scout is Loyal. A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school and nation.
A Scout is Helpful. A Scout cares about other people. He willingly volunteers to help others without expecting payment or reward.
A Scout is Friendly. A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.
A Scout is Courteous. A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.
A Scout is Kind. A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. Without good reason, he does not harm or kill any living thing.
A Scout is Obedient. 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 disobeying them.
A Scout is Cheerful. A Scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
A Scout is Thrifty. A Scout works to pay his way and help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
A Scout is Brave. A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.
A Scout is Clean. A Scout keeps his body and mind fit. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.
A Scout is Reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful is his spiritual duties. He respects the beliefs of others. (Bill sits in a chair and Matt moves to the podium.)
Matt: Finally, the three parts of the Scout Oath are promises that will carry you safely and securely as you travel down unknown paths in the future. John Warren will now recite the Scout Oath and give the meaning of each part. (Matt sits in chair and John Moves to the podium.)
John: (Say the Oath.) On my honor…etc. I am pledging that I will give all that I have to keep myself for my God and my country. I will always obey the Scout Law and help other people. I will keep myself physically strong by taking care of my body so that it serves well for my entire lifetime. I will keep myself mentally awake by being curious, asking questions, and working hard academically. I will be morally straight by developing a strong character and by being honest and open. My speech, actions, and thoughts will be clean and pure. (John sits in a chair and Matt moves to podium.)
Matt: Now Mrs. Sue Daigle, our Scoutmaster, will introduce the Eagle Scout Challenge. (Mrs. Daigle comes up from the pew.)
Mrs. Daigle: The presentation of the Eagle Award is an important, serious, and joyful event. Eagle is the highest rank in Boy Scouting which only two to four percent of all Scouts earn each year. It is important that each of us here today understands the meaning of the Eagle Badge. (Mrs. Daigle sits in a chair.)
Bill: For us today, the Eagle is a living symbol of all courageous and freedom aspiring Americans. When the Eagle badge was initially designed, it was decided to suspend a small silver eagle from a tricolor ribbon of red, white, and blue. So it has remained to this day.
The foremost responsibility of the 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 first point of the Scout Law for a good reason. An Eagle Scout lives honorably, not only because of the infinite importance of doing so himself, but because of the vital significance of the example he sets for other Scouts and other people. Living honorably reflects credit upon his family, troop, church, and community. Remember that the white of the Eagle Badge symbolizes honor.
We charge that you, Dave, live your life with honor. (Dave lights white candle. Bill sits in the pew.)
Tom: 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 these members makes him pitch in and carry his share of the load. All of these help to build the loyalty that means devotion to his community, country, and ideals. Remember that the blue of the Eagle badge symbolizes loyalty.
We charge that you, Dave, be true to your values. (Dave lights blue candle and Tom sits in the pew.)
John: 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, courage not only means bravery to face physical danger, but the determination to stand up for your principles and for what is right. Trusting in God with faith, he looks forward to each day, seeking his share of the kingdom’s work to do. May the red of the Eagle badge always remind you of Courage.
We charge, that you, Dave, live your life with courage. (Dave lights red candle and John sits in the pew.)
Matt: The fourth obligation of an Eagle Scout is service. The Eagle Scout extends a helping hand to those who still toil on Scouting’s trail, just as others helped him to climb to Eagle. The performance of the daily good turn now takes on a new meaning as he continues service to others. The Eagle stands as the 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.
We charge that you, Dave, be prepared to put forward your best and offer service to others. (Matt sits in a chair. Mrs. Daigle moves to the podium.)
Mrs. Daigle: Will David’s parents please step forward? (Dave and parents move next to podium.)
David, you are about to take the pledge of the Eagle Scout. Are you ready to do so?
Dave: I am.
Mrs. Daigle: Please raise your right hand in the Scout sign and repeat after me: I, David Carpentier…promise to live continually with the morals of the Scout Law and Oath in mind. I know that I am an Eagle…a Boy Scout and a member of a team. As I travel down the narrow road of life…I will be true to those I love. Never will I forget the lessons I have learned…and the wisdom that accompanies them. I know that in life…there will be times when I am called to act and serve…and cause truth to reveal itself…in the souls of those who think and believe against the appropriate way.
Suzanne and Peter, you may now pin the Eagle badge onto your son’s uniform. (Parents pin, sit in pew.) Now, a few words from Dave. (Mrs. Daigle sits in a chair.)
Dave’s speech.
Mrs. Daigle: (Mrs. Daigle moves to podium and Dave moves to the side of it.) Now comes that part of the day where we really get to know David, to see him through the eyes of others. Known as the roast, it consists of all types of people who may like their meat rare, medium, or charbroiled. I now invite Mrs. Linda Libert to begin. (Mrs. Daigle is running this part, asking if there are others who would like to roast. When there is no one left call up Micah for the last roast and closing prayer. …Is there anyone else? I would like to invite Micah Groder to finish off the roast with a slow broil and then say the closing prayer. (Micah comes up while Mrs. Daigle sits in pew.)
Micah: Ends roast. Prayer. Amen. When Micah’s done he sits in pew and Matt steps up.)
Matt: Before the closing colors, I would like to thank you once again on behalf the Carpentier’s and Troop 50 for attending David’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor. After the colors have been retired, we invite you downstairs for food, refreshments, and a chance to view memorabilia from Dave’s scouting days. The stairs can be reached by exiting through the side doors here. (Matt points to them. Slight pause.) Color guard, retreat. While the guard is preparing, and marching Geoff will step up to the piano and play God Bless America.
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Added 3/13/2006