Buckhorn district honors eagle scouts at banquet

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Buckhorn District held its Eagle Scout banquet at the Museum of the San Rafael on April 16. Robert Blackburn welcomed everyone and introduced the Scouts to do the flag ceremony. A slide show explaining how Francis Scott Key came to write the National Anthem was shown.
The slideshow gave a vivid, emotional story of the events surrounding Key’s penning of the poem that would later become our National Anthem. During the valiant defense of Ft. McHenry during the British attack in September of 1814, 35 year old Key, who was an attorney, was called upon to negotiate a prisoner exchange with the British.
The battle which ensued was prompted by the British reneging on the deal and attacking the Fort relentlessly throughout the night. Key kept the prisoners, who were being held in the hold of a ship, informed of the events and if the flag was still flying.
Following the battle, it was discovered that American soldiers had braced the flagpole with their own bodies to ensure that the flag would not fall. When those surrounding the flag would fall, others would immediately take their places. To those courageous, patriotic men, the flag meant freedom, and they gave their lives to inspire other soldiers who watched and fought for the flag and what it represents.
On the evening of the Eagle Scout banquet, the scouts presented the flag, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited tearfully.
Judge Bryce Bryner spoke to the scouts and their parents. “You are the leaders of tomorrow. This is a great milestone you have reached, and scouting is a way of life with you. It is a privilege to be among you. Scouting will prepare you to make the many important decisions that face all young men age 18-25. College, military, missions, marriage, profession, all these decisions will face you in the next few years,” said Bryner.

“A Scout is …trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent,” said Bryner. This is the scout law. “Any young man who has this emblazoned on his mind will make the right decisions.”
Bryner gave the scouts five guidelines to help with their futures. 1. Establish priorities…do the things that count. 2. Develop leadership skills…learn to inspire other people to do the right things. 3. Be knowledgable about many things in life…become well-rounded. 4. Stand up for what you know is right…become a person of integrity. 5. Never, never, never give up.
“Use your time wisely, live the scouting principles, and think about the scout motto daily.” Bryner finished with a quotation from his great-grandfather, “It’s not how many times you fall, it’s how many times you pick yourself up.”
Dennis Dooley, past Exalted Ruler-Elks Price Lodge 1550, was next to speak to the scouts. “We love to honor scouts because they are taught to cling to their beliefs, and they see a job that needs to be done and they do it. You are special young men, and remember, men of honor watch themselves.
“You are the inheritors of chivalry. A chivalrous man obeys God, defends others, does not waiver, and respects all women. The definition of the French word courage is strength of heart. You scouts embody that definition. Congratulations,” said Dooley.
Buckhorn District Eagle Scouts for 2004 are: Daniel Brock Bawden, Kyle Phillip Bell, Weston James Brinkerhoff, Oshai William Davis, Jake Van Gardner, Robert Wendell Higgs, Kip J. Jensen, Jordan Del Leamaster, Jacob R. Marshall, Brandon Kyle Singleton, Colten Louis Vanderherp, Jacob Byron Bawden, Terrence Claude Bell, Addison Duane Collard, Mark Benson Farr, Colton Lon Grange, Dustin Phillip Jensen, Tyrell James Jewkes, Scott J. Lofley, Brandt Neal Peacock, Ryan Jordan Thompson, and Michael Leslie Wilberg.
The scouts were introduced by Danna Gray, Randy Winn, and Blackburn, then awarded a plaque, an American flag, and a certificate by Dooley.