Eagle Identity: More Than Just a Rank

As you might imagine, I have been to many Courts of Honor to see Eagle Awards presented during my Scouting career. It’s always a proud moment, whether I know the recipient personally or have been requested by their council to attend.

My pride in our Eagles went up a notch when I recently read an account of an Eagle Award that was presented to a Scout in the Gerald R. Ford Council in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

His first Scoutmaster, Augustine Iacopelli, congratulates Alex Putkovich for receiving the Eagle Scout Award. // Photo courtesy of The Rapidian.

Midway through his acceptance speech, newly-awarded Eagle Scout Alex Putkovich of Troop 200 surprised everyone by removing the Eagle Scout neckerchief, badge and medal.

It wasn’t an act of disrespect – it was an act of pride, as reported in his local paper:

“Even without my neckerchief, even without my badge, even without my medal, I’m still an Eagle Scout,” Alex told the audience assembled at the Boy Scouts of America Gerald R. Ford Council headquarters. “It’s more than just a rank–it’s my lifestyle now. It’s who I am.”

It’s who I am.

Reading that statement put a lump in my throat as I reviewed the lengthy report of Alex’s outstanding record of service as a Scout, as a mentor to others, and community supporter.

Augustine Iacopelli, Alex’s first Scoutmaster, said Alex’s words show he understands that “being an Eagle Scout means exemplifying the most important values of Scouting.”

I absolutely agree.

That brief observation from a 17-year-old spoke volumes about what we teach our Scouts and what they take away from this movement. Scouting gives them a sense of pride. Scouting gives them confidence. Scouting gives them an identity. They have all these great qualities to draw upon for the rest of their lives.

Congratulations Alex! I’d also like to offer my thanks to the leaders of Troop 200 and the Gerald R. Ford Council for their hard work to provide such a strong program for their Scouts.

What do your organizations do to bring this kind of identity recognition to those you work with? What challenges do you have to draw this kind of inner strength out of your young people? Let us know your experiences and how you achieved success.

Thanks!

Wayne