On May 27th, Benjamin Dierks received his prestigious Eagle Scout Award at Wanamingo Lutheran Church in Wanamingo. A very small percentage of Boy Scouts earn this distinction, and we are proud to say that Benjamin was among the elite few. After being in the Scouting program for 4 years with Pack 76 Cub Scouts and 6 years with Troop 76 Boy Scouts, this award culminates his Boy Scouts of America experience. Last year, he fulfilled his commitment to leave the world a better place by starting a pollinator garden at the Torkelson Park Community Garden for us all to enjoy. Stop down and take a look at his project this spring/summer.
The ceremony was opened by the presentation of the colors. Boys from Troop 76 proudly brought in the flags and paid homage to them on stage. The Pledge of Allegiance was made by everyone present, and Scoutmaster Ron Friedrich said the welcome and introduced the guests. Pastor Dave Sorenson did the Invocation, and the ceremony commenced.
The Master of Ceremonies was a classmate of Benjamin's, Shaun Hargarten. Ron Friedrich Introduced Benjamin as the newest Scout to earn the Eagle Scout Award, and the Troop recited the Light of the Eagle Ceremony, and the Eagle Scout Pledge/Charge was conducted by 3 of the troop's Eagle Scouts present, Branon Dierks (2018), Chris Farrel (2015) and Kurt Carlstrom (2001).
The guest speaker was Mayor Ryan Holmes, and he welcomed Benjamin to the distinction of his achievements with anecdotes and listed all his earned badges, which were many. There are 14 required badges to be earned, and I believe Benjamin earned 44 all together!
Amy Husbyn, the Troop Advancement Chairperson was next on the agenda with the presentation of the award of Eagle Scout, and the gifts that accompany it. Pins were given to Benjamin, and he also presented pins to his parents, Eric and Lisa Dierks.
Andy Queen, the current Commandant of Forrest G. James Detachment #589 of the Marine Corps League then came to the podium and spoke about how the young men who achieve the Eagle Scout distinction were proven leaders with high standards, and therefore make admirable leaders in the military. Benjamin then received a certificate from the Marine Corps for Excellent Citizenship.
The Benediction was given by Pastor Sorenson, and the closing was read by ScoutMaster Friedrich. The Colors were retired, pictures taken, and refreshments served.
Scouting America, formerly Boy Scouts of America, aims to prepare young people for lives of impact and purpose. Their objectives are to have an adventure of a lifetime, prepare for the future, and of course, enjoy family fun!
Beginning with Cub Scouts in grades K-5, once the boys reach age 11, they are called Scouts BSA and continue to earn badges for skills to prepare them for life. There are many programs available to both boys and girls to explore, from career paths to survival skills, and many things in between. You can go to www.scouting.org to learn more.
The organization's mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over the course of their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The Scout Law says, "A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent." The Scout Oath proclaims, "On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."
Scouting invites every boy and girl to a safe, fun place to learn. Congratulations once more to Benjamin, and to all the other young men who have what it takes to become an Eagle Scout!
