Eagle Scout Ceremony: June 22, 1997 Eagle Scout Michael J. DeMaria Rank Earned: February 27, 1997 Boy Scout Troop 604, Nassau County Council Phil Lembo: Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to welcome you to Troop 604's Eagle Court of Honor for Michael DeMaria. We extend a warm welcome to their families and friends. We also welcome all the scouting families of Troop 604. We thank our honored guests for their presence today. Now I would like to call our senior patrol leader Eric Schlameuss to lead us in our opening ceremony. Eric Schlameuss: Please stand for the presentation of the colors. Colorguard, present the colors. (Colorguard marches in. Play Red Skelton speech when in position.) Scouts, salute. Pledge. Two. Post the colors. Colorguard dismissed. (Colorguard moves to their seats, but everyone remains standing) I would now like to call up Joe Strazzeri to lead us in the invocation. Joe Strazzeri: (Invocation) May I now present scoutmaster Matt Brown. Matt Brown: Please be seated. The pathway to Eagle can be described as a steep trail leading up to three peaks, the highest being that of Eagle Scout. Officially, the trail starts with the Scout and Tenderfoot ranks and continues through Second and First Class ranks. Then, the mountain climb begins. The path is marked with merit badges, leadership responsibilities, service projects, and the practice of Scouting skills. The first peak reached is that of Star Scout, the second is Life Scout, and, finally, Eagle. Scouts, as a sign of respect and appreciation, please stand and salute when the Eagle candidate passes you. Honorguard, present the Eagle candidate. (Honorguard marches in and presents Mike, passing all scouts and guests first. When in position, the honorguard then takes their seats) Matt Brown: This candidate for Eagle Scout has passed all of the requirements for the rank of Eagle. A total of 33 merit badges have been earned. He has completed a service project and has served the troop as a leader. He sat before the Eagle board of review, and his records have been reviewed and passed on by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He stands before us, ready to receive the highest award in Scouting. I see no reason why the Eagle Award should not be presented to this applicant. Michael Mostow: Gentlemen of the court, I represent all Scouts who have received the Eagle Award. We do not object to the awarding of this badge, but we do believe that this applicant should understand that the Eagle rank is a responsibility as well as an honor. We respectfully ask that this applicant be informed of the responsibilities of an Eagle Scout before the badge is awarded. Joe Strazzeri: The white section of the Eagle badge stands for honor. The first responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to live with honor. An Eagle's honor is sacred. Honor is the foundation of all character. Character is what one really is: not what one thinks he is. An Eagle's life should influence his family, church, school, and friends in a positive manner. May the white of your badge remind you to live with honor always. Chuck Lembo: The second obligation of an Eagle Scout is loyalty. It is designated by the blue in the badge. Without loyalty, all character lacks direction. To thine own self be true, and it must follow as day follows night, thou can not be false to any man. Neither pain nor profit, pride or personal loss, shall change him in his loyalty. The blue is an emblem of loyalty. Pete Lembo: The final obligation of an Eagle Scout is service. He extends a helping hand to those who still toil along the Scouting trail, just as other helped him in his achievement of Eagle rank. The habit of the daily Good Turn must take on a new meaning through a life of service to all those who need him. He protects and defends the weak and helpless. He aids and comforts the unfortunate and oppressed. He upholds the rights of others while defending his own. He always will be prepared to put forth his best. Morris Napolitano: Those were the responsibilities of the Eagle Scout. Remember to do your best, be reverent to your God, and to always love your country and its flag. Matt Brown: I would now like to ask Eagle Scout Michael Mostow give the Charge to the Eagle. Michael Mostow: I charge you to undertake your citizenship with solemn dedication. Be a leader, but lead only towards the best. Lift every task you do and every office you hold to the level of service to God and to your fellowmen. So live and serve that those who know you will be inspired to the finest living. We have too many who use their strength and their brains to exploit others and to gain selfish ends. I charge you to be among those who dedicate their hearts and hands to common good. Build America on the solid foundation of clean living, honest work, unselfish citizenship, and reverence for God. Then whatever others may do, you will leave behind you a record of which you and every other scout may be justly proud. Eagle candidate Michael DeMaria, I charge you to enter this Eagle Scout brotherhood, holding without reservation, ever before you the ideals of honor and service. By the following repetition of the Eagle Scout oath before your fellow members you will become an Eagle Scout. Though the words are similar to those by which you joined scouting, tonight they will be more than they could have meant at any time in the past. When you pledge yourself on your sacred word of honor you will be sealing your eternal loyalty to the code of the Eagles. Michael Mostow: I now ask that Mr. Gene Talbot, former Scoutmaster of Troop 604, step forward to issue Michael the Scout Challenge. Gene Talbot: A Scout Challenge The scout law is a challenge in today's world: When facing deceit and dishonesty, dare to be trustworthy. If you see hypocrisy and faithlessness, dare to be loyal. Where disregard of others and materialism prevail, dare to be helpful. Faced with the spector of bigotry and hate, dare to be friendly. In an atmosphere of ill manners, dare to be courteous. When some measure manliness in brutality and crudeness, dare to be kind. Although law breaking and rule scoffing are common, dare to be obedient. While others grumble and grouch, dare to be cheerful. In an environment blighted by waste and extravagance, dare to be thrifty. Confronted with danger and temptation, dare to be brave. Meeting everywhere filth and pollution, dare to be clean. Witnessing impiety and irreligion, dare to be reverent. Matt Brown: Your trail to Eagle first started when you earned the Arrow of Light patch and "crossed over" into Boy Scouting. The very man who helped you cross there and start off your trail to Eagle is waiting at this end of the trail. If you are prepared to become an Eagle Scout, repeat the Eagle Scout Oath, as administered by Eagle Scout Pete Lembo. Pete Lembo: Will Life Scouts Michael Hoffman and Daniel Agnese please escort Mr. & Mrs. DeMaria to join Michael. Will all Eagle Scouts please come forward and silently reaffirm their Eagle Oath with Michael. Eagle Scout candidate Michael DeMaria, 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 With the help of God I will do my best To make my training an example My influences and my opportunities strongly count For physical fitness For wholesome character And for devoted citizenship In Scouting In my community And in my country To this I pledge my sacred honor. (Matt Brown and Gene Talbot present Eagle Packet to Lynne DeMaria) Pete Lembo: Mrs. DeMaria, would you please pin the Eagle medal on to Michael's uniform. (Pin Mike) Michael, please pin your parents, demonstrating the love and support they have given you during your scouting years. (Pin Lynne & Joe) Fred Troll: It's Only A Pin A fond family watches their boy where he stands, Apart from his comrades tonight. As they place on his tunic a badge, As Eagle-the emblem of right. It seems just a few short months have passed Since he joined with the youngsters next door, How proud they were of his Tenderfoot badge As he told them the message it bore. But the years have gone by as he struggled along, To learn what the Scout Law's about. He practiced them daily, the Oath and the Law, Until now he's an Eagle Scout. You may smile in your worldly old wisdom at this And say, why it's only some cloth and a pin. But I tell you no honors he gains as a man Will mean just as much to him. The red, white, and blue of the ribbon you see Are the symbols of honor and truth. He has learned how to value these fine attributes, In the glorious days of his youth. The outflung wing of the Eagle will rest On the chest of this Knight of today. The wings will lift him above petty deeds, And guide him along the right way. Yes, it's only a pin, just an Eagle Scout badge, But the heart that's beneath it beats true. And will throb till the last, for things that are good, A lesson for me-and for you. Matt Brown: I would now like to call up the Amangi Wulit Ceremonial Team. Order of the Arrow Ceremony of the Four Winds (Order of the Arrow) Dave and Eric: Presentation of Certificates Scoutmaster Minute Eagle Response - Mike DeMaria Tonight I stand apart from my comrads. I am an Eagle scout. This has been my goal ever since the first Eagle ceremony I ever saw. The pin placed upon my tunic will mean more to me than any other honor I might recieve. It will be with me forever. You might hear someone say, I was a Boy Scout or I was a life scout but nobody ever says I was an Eagle scout. I am an Eagle scout. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle. I am honored that each of you sitting in this room took time out of your busy schedules to share this special day with me. Being a Boy Scout means more than just wearing a uniform. There is a fundamental backbone to the organization that cannot be viewed or touched. It is a philosophy rarely known of by others, but guides our lives. The scout law is more than mere words. It is a lifestyle that each scout has committed himself to obey. As scouts, it is your duty to live by the scout law and educate others through your actions. This is the essence of scout spirit. It is one of the purposes of scouting. Never be afraid to say your a scout, and don t let shame hide that uniform. Be proud of your scouting achievements, and what you are, a Boy Scout. I did not climb the trail to Eagle alone. There were many that helped me. My parents were there every step of the way. Every member of Troop 604, each scout and scouter, assisted me. However, there are 4 scouters who deserve special recognition. This first man did not play an active roll in my scouting career until about 4 years ago. He patiently corrected my Eagle project, gave me valuable advice, and even helped me find the music used at the beginning of the ceremony. This resourceful man, is Scoutmaster Matt Brown. (Give gift) The second man to help me is probably the best person to have sitting next to you at a campfire. He never runs out of interesting and funny stories. Whenever my morale was low, he always was able to push it back up. He, is Hugh Brickley. (Give gift) The third scouter to help me has been actively involved with the troop ever since I first joined. He too painstakenly worked on my Eagle project, and maintained the good name of Troop 604 for years as committee chairman. I hope he touches the lives of scouts for another 20 years. This scouter is Phil Lembo. (Give gift) This last man I wish to call up means a great deal to me personally. I remember back in 1991, at the Pack 603 Arrow of Light ceremony, when he came up to me and said, These boys need a patrol leader. How would you like to be their patrol leader? I was shocked at the time, because there were many other scouts he could of chosen over me, and I only completed my first year in scouting. He saw something in me, an Eagle scout. Without this man, I can guarentee I would not be standing here before you today. He has been the greatest inspiration in my scouting career, and I owe more to him than I can ever repay. I wear this hat as a tribute to him and all the inspirating he gave me to continue on the trail. All I can do to repay him is just say this, you helped this Eagle get his wings, Mr. Gene Talbot. Benediction Joe Strazzeri: O great spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds and whose breath give life to all the world, hear me! I am small and weak; I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things you taught my people. Let me learn what you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy-myself. Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, may my spirit come to you without shame. Phil Lembo: Thank you for coming. Things that didn't make it into the ceremony but I found interesting. The Man In The Glass When you get what you want in your struggle for self And the world makes you king for a day, Just go to a mirror and look at yourself And see what that man has to say. For it isn't your father or mother or wife Whose judgment upon you must pass, The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass. Some people might think you're a straight-shootin chum And call you a wonderful guy. But the man in the glass says you're only a bum If you can't look him straight in the eye. He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest For he's with you clear to the end. And you've passed your most dangerous test If the guy in the glass is your friend. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years And get pats on the back as you pass. But your final reward will be heartache and tears If you've cheated the man in the glass. The Ragged Old Flag I walked through a county courthouse square And on a bench an old man was sitting there. I said, "Your old courthouse is sort of run down." He said, "Naw it'll do for our little town." I said, "our old flagpole's kinda leaned a bit And thats a mighty ragged old flag you ve got hangin on it." He said, "Have a seat?" and I sat down. He said, "This the first time you've been in our town?" I said, "I think it is." He said, "Well we don't like to brag But, round here we're mighty proud of that ragged old flag. See, we got a little hole in that flag there When Washington took it across the Delaware, And, it got powder burned on the night Francis Scott Key sat a watchin' and writing' Oh say can you see... It got a big rip in New Orleans With Packingham and Jackson tugging at its seams. It almost fell at the Alamo Beside the Texas flag it waved on though. It got cut with a sword at Shiloh Hill And, cut again at Chancellorville. There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg And the south win blew very hard on that ragged old flag. At Flander's Field in World War One She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun. She turned blood red in World War Two. She hung limp and low a time or two. She was in Korea and in Vietnam And went wherever she was sent by her Uncle Sam. At the ruins in an embassy in Beiruit Marines pulled her out of the rubble and soot. She waved from our ships on the briny foam But, now they've just about given up waving her here at home. In her own land she's been abused, She has been hurt, dishonored, denied, refused. And the government for which she stands Has been scandalized throughout the land. She is getting threadbare, and she's worn a little thin But, she's in pretty good shape for the shape she is in. Because she has been through fire before. I believe she can take a whole lot more. That's why we raise her every morning Take her down each night. Never let her touch the ground And always fold her up just right. On second thought," he said to me, "I do like to brag, Because I'm mighty proud of that ragged old flag. If- If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream and not make dreams your master; If you can think and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two imposters just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: Hold on! If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds worty of distance run, Yours in the Earth and everything that's in it, And which is more you ll be a Man, my son!