THE 2022 FRIENDS OF SCOUTING BREAKFAST
On the beautiful sunny morning of June 15, a large group of Scouting supporters turned out at the Riverside Park Pavilion to honor our Scouts and Scouters. The event raised more the $16,000 and counting for the Blue Mt Council. Troop 514 raised the flag on a flag pole they had lashed together. Tim Koza reflected on his Eagle experience and Aric Johnson and Russ West received the Gene Palmer “Eagle Within” Award.
The Troop retired a tattered flag with dignity, as last year’s Eagle speaker and West Point soon to be cadet, Nate Bingaman, honored it with the reading of Ode to the Flag:
HERE’S TO THE RED OF IT, HEROES BLED FOR IT, FACED STEEL AND LEAD FOR IT, SLEPT WITH THE DEAD FOR IT, BATHING IT RED
HERE’S TO THE WHITE OF IT, WHO KNOWS THE MIGHT OF IT, BUT THRILLS AT THE SIGHT OF IT, THRU DAY AND NIGHT.
HERE’S TO THE BLUE OF IT, HEAVENLY HUE OF IT. STAR SPANGLED VIEW OF IT, CONSTANT AND TRUE. AND HERE’S TO THE WHOLE OF IT, STARS STRIPES AND POLE OF IT.
HERE’S TO THE SOUL OF IT, RED,WHITE AND BLUE.
Eagle Scout, Tim Koza, concluded his talk at the FOS breakfast with these words:
“In conclusion, I will say that scouts has changed my life. Scouting has made me a stronger person and leader, and given me connections and friendships to last for a lifetime. I have gained experience and skills that many people my age have not had and may never get. One of the most important things that my Eagle journey has taught me is perseverance and patience. Looking back, it took five years to earn this rank, and there were times when I thought I would just quit and drop scouts. But here we are. I hope that in my time as a scout I helped to lead and inspire another group of boys to earn their Eagle ranks, and that they will stick with it. I owe thanks to my troop, my leaders, my family, and the people who supported me along the way. Thank you all for coming this morning! “
Ayden Lucas and James Anderson raise the flag
