Voice of the Eagle Ceremony for Mike Dangler

(acting) Senior Patrol Leader (Randell Yi): Please stand for the presentation of colors. Advance the colors.

Color Guard Leader (Joe Reuffer ): (Comes forward and lets color guard reach its position.) Will the audience join us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Scouts, Salute. (Dip troop flag. Lead the Pledge of Allegiance.) Please join in the Scout Oath.......Please join in the Scout Law...Two. Post the colors. Color guard retreat. (Scouts return to seats) The audience may be seated. (Leader be seated).

Senior Patrol Leader (Randell Yi): I would like to welcome you to Troop 222's fourth Eagle Court of Honor. It is my pleasure to introduce Mr. Fred Ross who is the chairman of this Court of Honor. (** Sit down)

Chairman (Fred Ross): I would like to introduce.....(Introduce all scouting officials) (Please stand) (Pause) Thank you, you may be seated. (introduce Mr. Jim Clifford).

Assistant Scoutmaster (Mr. Jim Clifford ): (A few words of Welcome)....It is my pleasure to introduce the pastor of the congregation, Rev.McWilliams, who will lead us in our invocation.

Rev. McWilliams: Invocation.....

Narrator (Terry Tanner ): Will the Eagle candidate Michael James Dangler please come forward? This is the voice of the Eagle whose heights you have struggled hard to reach. We remember well when you first came to the base of the cliff, and how you looked up with ambition and determination. Look back for a moment; look down the cliff you have climbed; look at the experiences you have encountered in your ascent. These experiences should not be forgotten. You should profit by making sure adverse experiences do not occur again. Experience is a valuable teacher, if you heed its teachings. We remember when you took your first step upon the trail that leads upward. With that first step you began to grow physically, mentally, and morally. You started living the Scout Oath and Law.

All the while you were on the trail, we watched you study and we saw you learn by doing. First, you were only a Scout. At that time your brother scouts called you a Tenderfoot...And they were right. You were indeed a Tenderfoot Scout.

Soon, you reached the first ledge, and there you were greeted by a large group of second class scouts. Some, like you, were stopping to catch their breath before continuing along the trail. You began to study more, you worked harder, and almost before you knew it you came to another ledge--The ledge where the first class scouts dwell.

There you found a tempting green meadow by a crystal-clear stream bathed in the sun. Here you were tempted to remain. Yes, you could have remained there to live in your first class gory, but your ambition stirred you on. We remember your advancement to star scout.

The trail from first class to star rank was not as difficult as it had seemed. This spurred you on, and again you climbed farther. The trail was steeper and less worn. Fewer scouts seemed to be headed in your direction. You looked down and saw the crowds below you. You looked up and saw a few above you and, with the same determination with which you started you climb, you continued up the trail. Soon, you earned the badge of life rank.

The heart badge was then placed on your uniform. You will never forget your thoughts at that moment. This feeling has been experienced by all scouts on reaching the ledge of life scout: "Now I am close to the Eagle, I will carry on." The trail becomes tougher, but more interesting. The original principles, the Scout Oath and Law, now had a fuller meaning. Your understanding of them was greater.

Yes, we have watched your character unfold and become more manly. We have watched your leadership expand into a valuable asset. We have watched your mind develop and your wisdom increases. We have watched all these things in you and now that you are on the threshold of your goal we welcome you, for you have done your climbing in a true scoutlike manner.

This is the Voice of the Eagle.

(Chairman--Comes forward)

Chairman (Fred Ross): The awarding of the Eagle Badge is an important and serious occasion, the climax and the goal for which a scout works many years, and occasion for pride and joy, a time for serious contemplation. It is the culmination of efforts of the various leaders of Michael. The Eagle award is the highest and most coveted rank in scouting; the last major step in the advancement program. Fewer than 2 percent of all scouts in the United States reach the Eagle rank. At this point, we trust you have achieved our purpose in the building of character, training of leadership, and the practice of service. The requirements for the Eagle rank are as follows:

A. Earn 21 merit badges, including 11 which are required- First aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Safety, Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving, Environmental science, Personal Management, Personal Fitness or Swimming or Sports and Camping.
B. Serve actively in a troop leadership position for a period of 6 months after becoming a life Scout.
C. Plan, develop, and carry out a service project worthy of and Eagle Scout.
D. Appear before a board of review of prominent persons and satisfy them that you have done your best to understand and live up to the Scout Oath and Law and, in all ways, qualify for the Eagle Scout Award.

Careful examination has been Made by the court as to the qualifications of Michael James Dangler for the Eagle Scout award. Mr. Pat Fischer will now give a resume of Michael's personal and scouting history.

Mr. Pat Fischer: History

Narrator (Terry Tanner ): This is the voice of the Eagle. I speak for the Eagle scouts of this council. We challenge Michael to accept the responsibilities as well as the honor of the Eagle scout award. These responsibilities are as follows: An Eagle Scout is to live with honor. His honor is sacred; it is the foundation of all character. An Eagle Scout will live so that he reflects credit upon his home, church, school, friends, and self. May the white of your badge remind you to live with honor.
An Eagle Scout is to be loyal. "To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." Neither pain nor profit, pride nor personal loss shall sway his loyalty. The blue on your badge is the emblem of loyalty.

An Eagle Scout is to be courageous. Courage gives all character force and strength. With trust in his God and faith in his fellow man, he faces each day unafraid and seeks his share of the world's work to do. Let the red of your badge remind you or courage.

Finally, an Eagle court is service-oriented. Extend a helping hand to those who toil along the scouting trail you have completed, just as the others have aided you. The daily good turn must take on a new meaning and better the life pattern of service. Protect and defend the weak and helpless; comfort the unfortunate and oppressed. Uphold the rights of others as well as your own. Remember, real leadership is founded upon real service.

Chairman (Fred Ross): In recognition of these obligations, I ask you to reaffirm the Scout Oath.

Michael: Scout Oath......

Chairman (Fred Ross): Will Mr. David Doggette, Sr. come forward as a representative of the National council, Boy Scouts of America, and administer the Eagle Pledge?

David Doggette, Sr.: (Read National council letter)

Michael James Dangler, I charge you to build America on the solid foundations of clean living, honest work, unselfish citizenship, and reverence for God. Then, whatever others may do, you will leave behind a record of which you may be justly proud.

Eagle Michael James Dangler, I charge you to enter this Eagle Scout Brotherhood, holding, without reservation, the ideals of honor and service. Repeating the Eagle Scout promise before your fellow members, you will become and Eagle Scout. Though the words you use are similar to those by which you joined scouting, today they will mean more than they could have meant at any time in your past. When you pledge yourself on your sacred honor, you will be sealing your eternal loyalty to the code of the Eagle Scout, with the words which closed the Declaration of Independence.

Attention! Scout sign! Repeat after me!

I reaffirm my allegiance / to the three promises of the Scout Oath.
I thoughtfully recognize and take upon myself / the obligations and responsibilities of the rank of Eagle scout. On my honor, I will do my best / to make my training an example, /my rank and my influence, / count strongly for better scouting and for better citizenship, / in my troop and in my community / and in my contacts with other people. To this I pledge my sacred honor. Two!

Chairman (Fred Ross): Will the Eagle applicant escort his parents to the front?
Michael, we now proclaim to all the world your accomplishments. The symbol of your success is the Eagle badge and neckerchief, which will now be presented to your parents by Mr. Bob Elliot. Your parents will, in turn, pin the badge over your heart and place the neckerchief around your neck.

(Presentation of the Badge)

Eagle Scout Michael, in recognition of the wisdom and guidance given to you by your father, will you present to him the Eagle tie bar, which he will be proud to wear in your honor?

(pause)

Also, in recognition of the many hours of patient guidance given by her in your efforts, will you pin the Eagle Mother's pin over your Mother's heart?

(pause)

Michael, will you now escort your parents back to their seats, and return to the front?

I would like to have Mr. Elliot read the following letter.

(Read any congratulatory letters)

I now would like to have Joe Glowiak present you with this gift from troop 222 in recognition of your outstanding service to this troop and of becoming an Eagle Scout.

I would like to introduce Mr. Jeff Tanner, who will now give the Eagle charge.

Jeff Tanner: Michael James Dangler, (Makes it up)

Jeff Tanner will now ask Mike for his response.

Mike: The Eagle's response...Short Speech

Senior Patrol Leader (Randell Yi): I would like to ask Rev.McWilliams to come forward and give the Benediction.

Rev. McWilliams: Benediction

Senior Patrol Leader ( Randell Yi ): This Eagle Court of honor stands adjourned. I would like in behalf of Mike's parents and troop 222 to invite you all to a reception for Mike downstairs. Color guard, please retire the colors.

Content © 2003 - 2004, Michael J Dangler
Updated on 06/23/2004. Site Credits / Email Me!
Basic site design from ADF.org
(Yes, I stole it!)