Turley Publications courtesy photo

Hyrum Wright of Rochdale with his parents, Angela and Alan, after receiving the Eagle Scout medal denoting the highest rank in scouting.

Wright earns rank of Eagle Scout

NORTH BROOKFIELD - Hyrum Alan Wright of Rochdale, MA was recently honored for earning the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Friends, family and fellow scouts gathered to witness the presentation of the Eagle Scout medal and to celebrate his accomplishment.

Eagle Scout is scouting’s highest rank and as such, requires commitment and hard work. Along with the award comes a challenge to the recipient to live a life of honor, loyalty and courage. These qualities are imprinted on the likeness of an eagle which is the pin that holds the medal suspended from a red, white and blue ribbon. An Eagle Scout is also expected to be cheerful, responsible and to give service.

Work toward this pinnacle of scouting can begin after the scout has attained the rank of Life Scout. It must be completed, with the paper work turned in, on or before his 18^th birthday.

Wright began working toward becoming an Eagle Scout when he was 11 years old and in the fifth grade and actually attained the rank on March 9, 2010 at the age of 18.

The requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout include earning 21 merit badges, which consist of 13 very specific badges and eight badges of the scout’s choosing. The scout must also plan and carry out a special project which will benefit some community group other than the Boy Scouts.

For his project Wright chose to help those who are having hard times and need fuel for heating their homes. He organized a group to cut up downed trees, then split and stack the wood to be distributed when needed.

The Court of Honor program began with the presentation of the colors (American and troop flags) followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. The Scouts then gave the Boy Scout oath: “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the Scout law, to help other people at all times, and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”

After the singing of “America the Beautiful”, a short tribute to Wright was offered by his father, Alan Wright. He gave a brief history of the Boy Scouts of America beginning with its founding in England by Lord Baden Powell. He then showcased the accomplishments of some men of valor, including Winston Churchill, Marcus Luttrelle (a Navy seal), and Harold Arendt (Hyrum’s grandfather who took part in the invasion of Japan during World War I). These men had a common quality: they didn’t know what it was to give up. He likened this to the ideas put forth in scouting which Hyrum exhibited in his work toward becoming an Eagle Scout and in other areas of his life as well. He urged his son to hold on to this quality because it would keep him moving forward and enable him to accomplish many worthwhile things in his life. The Eagle Scout medal, which is traditionally presented by the scout’s mother, was pinned to Wright’s shirt by his mother, Angela. In return, Wright gave an eagle pin to each of his parents. He then thanked those who helped and supported him. The National Anthem was sung to close the program.

Wright had also received a framed award “in recognition of the successful completion of all requirements for Scouting’s highest rank” and a letter signed by the President of the Boy Scouts of America and the Chief Scout Executive. The letter commended Wright for his hard work and strong character and challenged him that much would be expected of him in the future by his community, faith and family.

Hyrum Wright is a member of Troop 98 which is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Brookfield. Each year the Boy Scouts of America presents the Church with a Charter which authorizes it to carry out scouting activities with the troop within the overall framework provided by the BSA.

Membership in Troop 98 is open to all interested boys between the ages of 12 and 18. For more information about upcoming events and about joining Troop 98, contact the scout master, Mark Johnson at 508-347-5026.