Buckhorn District honors Eagles at scout banquet

By PHIL FAUVER Staff writer

Buckhorn District Eagle Scout Honors Banquet was held at the Museum of the San Rafael April 16 for Eagle scouts from three stakes. This banquet was under the direction of Danna Gray, Buckhorn District Advancement Chairman, Bart Cox of Castle Dale Stake and Mesia Nyman of Ferron Stake are assistants to Gray. Gray welcomed everyone to the Eagle Scout Banquet and thanked them for coming. Prior to the flag ceremony a video presentation was made about the history of the flag of the United States during the War of Independence and the poem written by Francis Scott Key “The Star Spangled Banner.” It was most impressive.
“Francis Scott Key (Aug. 1, 1779 – Jan. 11, 1843) was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the lyrics to the United States’ national anthem, ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’.” From Wikipedia.org. The flag ceremony was led by Tyeray Migliori and the Ferron Stake Eagle Scouts. The invocation was given by Eagle Scout Elijah Oliverson of Troop 328 Castle Dale Stake.
This banquet was held to honor 15 Scouts that had achieved the rank of Eagle in the year of 2010. Two of the scouts are now on missions for the LDS Church. The inspirational guest speaker was Jonathan Jack (JJ) Lund from Lehi. An Eagle Scout, a business man, a husband and soon to be a father. JJ received the National Optimist Award at the age of 17. He started his company at the age of 15 and he became the largest distributor of pallets in the Western United States. He has been a guide in Alaska, he still guides and is an outdoors enthusiast. He received a rodeo scholarship to college. At Dixie College he was a roper. He was the center fold in the magazine “Seventeen.”
Lund started by saying, “I am excited to be here. It is an exciting time. Eagle Scouting is a great thing and everyone should be excited. This is a really big moment for Eagle Scouts and parents. When I drove into Castle Dale today, it reminded me of the time I spent here with my rodeo career.
“I have had many things that motivated me, that helped to determine the outcome of my life. I have had many great experiences, things I would not have been able to do if I had not chosen to live the life I had chosen when I was younger.
“I will talk about relationships, role models, things that inspire us,” said Lund. He then quoted from a prophet in the old testament Elijah. The story of providing food for a widow and her son in the book of 1 Kings 17:13.
“Elijah did many miracles through his life. There are a lot of things that we can enjoy and learn from Elijah.” Next he told of Elijah challenging the 450 priests of Baal, by saying let us prove which is God. If Baal is God then follow him but if the Lord is God of Israel, then follow him. This allowed Elijah to prove by fire that there was only one true God. 1 Kings 18:22
“The reason I tell you these stories is because I can imagine myself being there. I myself look for the greatness in everyone. I would be like the prophet Elisha. Elisha is a younger person learning from Elijah, like an apprentice. In my life I try to be like Elisha.
“As the story goes on Elijah calls down fire from heaven to consume soldiers that wanted to kill him. At one point Elijah asked Elisha what can I do for you. Elisha said, ‘I want to be like you.’ Elijah was Elisha’s role model. When Elijah was taken up to heaven, the mantel of Elijah fell and Elisha took it up and was able to do many of the things Elijah had done. Elisha did many other miracles to.
“The steps that I have taken in my life is like putting on a mantel before I take the next step. You have now taken on the mantel of becoming an Eagle Scout. You are to be commended for what you have accomplished. The determination the drive and the things you had to do to get to this point is great.
“My parents said to me, ‘You will not get your drivers license until you become an Eagle Scout.’
“Parents offering an incentive is a great thing because it teaches us to look forward to something.
“Now that you have your Eagle Scout Award, what will be your next step? Prepare yourself for that next step.
“My next step was this pallet company that was mentioned in the introduction. I had a lot of goals and determination when I was young. I have always wanted to accomplish certain things.
“When I was 15 years old I went by the K-Mart store in Richfield and saw a lot of pallets. My dad was in a trucking business and he knew there was a value in pallets. He always counted them and had to take back pallets to where they came from. I thought there must be someone that would want those wood pallets. I went over to K-Mart and asked what they wanted for the pallets. I was told they would sell them to me for a dollar each. I said I will get back to you tomorrow. I ran home, got on the phone and asked my dad if he knew of anyone that needed pallets. He said, ‘no’.
“I then got on the phone and called every business in and around Richfield. I finally got in contact with a company in Redmond. I told them, I have 400 of the best wooden 40 x 48 pallets. They said when can you get them here and I said when can I get paid for the pallets. I was told I would be paid at the time of delivery.
“From that enterprise as I was growing up, I met a lot of people, learned a lot about business and life. I learned a lot about friendship. A lot of things I had learned in Scouts helped me going to the next step. That pallet business went on for a while. Then I decided college would be the next step. I had time to go to college before my mission. There I met some role models or people that I looked up to. I got a scholarship and went off to college for a year. I studied hard, played hard and really enjoyed myself. Half way through the year I decided my next step was to go on a mission. I then started to prepare for my mission. I knew that I needed to learn about the gospel and the church. I spent six months learning the scriptures trying to be all that I could be to fill the mantel of a missionary that I had taken on. The mission was the best and the hardest two years of my life. When I got home I am still in the missionary mode. I used my rodeo scholarships and enjoyed life. The pallet business grew. I started doing things that I wanted to do. Then I decided the next step was to get married. I was lucky to find a good looking California girl.
“These are a few steps in my life. But you can use this and you can make your own mantel to take on, your own steps, your own decisions in what you want to do or become.
“One of the reasons that I like to talk about Elijah and Elisha is that I think that they picked each other. Elisha picked someone that was headed in the same direction. It so important that you pick good role models. Surround yourself with good people. Let one of them be your Elijah. Look up to them and have them help you. Make yourself better. Do not let yourself become so confident that you can not get better. Be humble, be wise, just keep a smile on your face always.
“There are 15 elite scouts here with us tonight. You have really accomplished something great. Scouting is very important and it has helped me so much. I really appreciate your letting me come and speak with you,” said Lund.
Robert Regruto, Exalted Ruler from The Elks Price Lodge 1550 spoke to the group: He said, “Once again this year The Benevolent Protective Order of Elk are pleased to help honor our new Eagle Scouts. We are honored to be among young men who believe in God, young men who consider it a privilege to salute Old Glory. Dennis Dooley of the BPOE sends his regrets for not being here, however you will find his signature on the certificates. Now that you are an Eagle Scout you belong not just to your family, but you belong to your neighbors.
“To those who are most blessed and much is given, much is asked of them. Along with honor and recognition comes duty and sacrifice. It has always been so and always shall be. We have confidence that while in our nation, young men like you will bear the burdens necessary to keep our freedoms and protect our future. Tonight Eagles we will give you a certificate of commemoration and a small American Flag. When a new member is initiated into our order as part of the ritual we explain to them the importance of the flag to the Order of the Elks. Thank you for having us here,” said Regruto.
Steve Royster of the Utah National Parks Council Scout Executive then spoke. He said, “Mike Plowman and I work out of the Orem Office. The Utah National Parks Council is one of 39 Districts. The Buckhorn District is one of the great Districts in the Council. We are the largest Council in the United States and the Boy Scouts of America. We have the most boys with more than 75,000. Forty-one registered adult leaders and a little more than 5,900 units. The territory covers the Southern two thirds of the state. Congratulations to all Eagle Scouts that are here tonight. More important than what you have accomplished is what you are going to do. Do not give up, you are not through. You are not done, you are examples to young scouts and others that are coming along. They expect great things of you as scouts. Thanks and congratulations to the parent of these scouts. It takes a lot of work but it is worth doing,” said Royster.
At the end of the banquet a presentation of an Eagle Scout Plaque was given by Buckhorn District leaders Danna Gray, Mesia Nyman, Bart Cox, Steve Royster, and Jonathan Lund to 15 Eagle Scouts. Following the presentation of the plaque, The Elks BPOE Price Lodge 1550 represented by Robert Regruto and Mick Axelgard presented each scout with an American Flag and a Certificate of commemoration.
Steve Royster the Utah National Parks Council Scout Executive and Mike Plowman the Utah National Parks Council Scout Field Director were there to congratulate each new Eagle Scout. Gray congratulated everyone especially the new Eagle Scouts and said ” We expect great things from you.” Ferron Stake Scouts retired the flag. The benediction was given by Eagle Scout Stetson Reed of Troop 301 Huntington Stake. The dinner was catered by Drew Leroy of Food Ranch. Buckhorn District Eagle Scouts for 2010 are as follows. Mathew K. Behling of troop 307; Tyler Creig Cox of troop 305; Brady James Jensen of troop 307; Colton Kip Leavitt of troop 300; Elijah D Oliverson of troop 328; Neil Chris Rowley of troop 903; Derek Wayne Tuttle of troop 300; Jason Thomas Wilcox of troop 385; Daniel Keith Bennion of troop 930; Cody Joe Dale of troop 307; Hayden Allen Johnson of troop 300; Tyeray Migliori of troop 307; Stetson Bert Reed of troop 301; Trevin Jay Singleton of troop 902; and Bryson Holmes Weaver of troop 315.