Jeff's Eagle Court of Honor

February 24, 2007

This web page is dedicated to Jeff Carpenter's Eagle Court of Honor. The Eagle is the highest rank possible to acheive in Scouting. Approximately 4% of all young men who enter scouting earn the Eagle rank. The Eagle Court of Honor is a special celebration of this accomplishment.

 

Jeff's Court of Honor began with the Troop 400 Scoutmaster, Gary Hutchens, calling the color guard to begin the ceremony.

Sam Turner provided the calls for the color guard. Sam is an eagle scout himself and the only other scout from Jeff's original patrol that stuck with scouting and was able to finish.

Paul Winslow opened the Court of Honor with a thoughtful and graceous prayer to ask God to lift up the scouting organization and help it continue to build character in young men.

Next the honor guard, made up of eagle scout friends of Jeff's, escorted Jeff to the stage.

Once Jeff was on the stage, Gary Hutchens invited Barry Rettkowski to open the Court of Honor.

Barry shares a moment with Jeff before opening the Court of Honor to tease him about the newspaper article that appeared in the Spokesman Review. The reporter did not get all the facts straight and rather than report that Jeff designed, organized, lead, and assisted a group of volunteers, the reporter indicated that Jeff did all the work on the project himself. Jeff had to explain to Barry and the rest of the people on his Eagle Board of Review how he really did not do the entire project himself, but properly provided the leadership that is expected of an Eagle Scout.

Chuck Porter of the Elks Lodge came to the Court of Honor and presented an american flag that flew over the capitol.

Mr. Porter explained that the flag had not been folded properly and gave the task of folding the flag to Jeff who invited fellow scout Chris Choate to help him.

Barry was then brought back on stage to present the Eagle charge which consisted of a number of items presented to eagle scouts upon earning their rank.

Before the charge is presented, all Eagle Scouts in the audience are invited to join Jeff in confirming their Eagle Scout pledge.

The first item presented was an Eagle Scout neckerchief and slide.

Next, Jeff's Mom got to pin the Eagle rank medal on his uniform.

Jeff in turn was able to complete Karen's scout pin collection by adding the Eagle pin to her ribbon.

Jeff's Dad presented the Eagle certificate to Jeff.

Jeff displays the certificate for everybody.

Jeff gave his Dad the Eagle pin for fathers.

Barry then declared that Jeff Carpenter was the newest Eagle Scout in Troop 400.

Gary Hutchens then presented Jeff with the troop honor board upon which all eagles from Troop 400 have their name engraved. Jeff was the 15th scout to earn the rank of eagle in the troop.

Following the Court of Honor we hosted a reception for everybody to enjoy some cake and drinks.

Karen had cutting duty to share the cake with everybody.

Jeff's Aunt Michele and Uncle Clarence came for California to attend the Court of Honor.

Jeff's grandparents Ike and Joann also came to celebrate.