Troop 152's Eagle Honor Roll

Webster's dictionary describes an eagle as a large bird of prey with sharp vision and powerful wings, famous for their strength, size, grace, and keen vision. The Eagle is the National Emblem for the United States. Though the eagle is found throughout the world, it is never found in abundance; it is always rare and it is always a superb specimen.

In Scouting, the Eagle stands for strength of character and for the knowledge of all phases of Scouting. The Eagle represents an understanding of community and nation, and a deep respect for the same. The Eagle is a symbol of what a young man has done as well as what that young man will do, and will be, when he grows to manhood. The Eagle is a Leader. The Eagle is respected, both by his peers and by his adult leaders. Eagle Scout is the highest Rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America. Those who attain this Rank are called an Eagle Scout or Eagle.

Not every boy who joins a Boy Scout Troop earns the Eagle Scout Rank; only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts do so. Nevertheless, the Aims of Scouting; Citizenship Training, Character Development, and Personal Fitness, remain important for all Scouts, whether or not they attain the Eagle Scout Rank.

The title of Eagle Scout is held for life, thus giving rise to the phrase "Once an Eagle, always an Eagle". Requirements include earning at least 21 Merit Badges and demonstrating Scout Spirit, Service, and Leadership. This includes an extensive Service Project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Eagle Scouts are presented with a Medal and a Badge at their Eagle Scout Courts of Honor, that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout. Additional recognition can be earned through Eagle Palms, awarded for completing additional tenure, leadership, and Merit Badge requirements.

The Boy Scouts of America's highest award was originally conceived of as the Wolf Scout, as shown in the June 1911 Official Handbook for Boys. The August 1911 Handbook subsequently changed this to Eagle Scout. The medal illustrated in the handbook was a profile of an Eagle in flight, but was changed to the current design before any were issued.

In their original conceptions, Life Scout, Star Scout (Life preceded Star until 1924) and Eagle Scout were not Ranks, but part of the Merit Badge system that recognized Scouts who had earned a specified number of Merit Badges. Eagle Scout was awarded to any First Class Scout who had earned 21 Merit Badges. Consequently, eight of the first nine Eagle Scouts did not earn the Ranks of Life or Star.

The first Eagle Scout medal was awarded in 1912 to Arthur Rose Eldred, a 17-year-old member of Troop 1 of Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York. Eldred was notified that he was to be awarded the Rank of Eagle Scout in a letter from Chief Scout Executive James West, dated August 21, 1912.

Since then, more than 1.7 million Scouts have earned the Rank. In 1982, 13-year-old Alexander Holsinger, of Normal, Illinois, was recognized as the one-millionth Eagle Scout.

Troop 152 is proud to honor these young men, on achieving the highest award in Scouting: