Twin Eagle Scouts following footsteps blazed by brothers

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 2, 2001

LULING n Twin brothers Kevin and Scott Harvey are proudly following in the footsteps of their older brothers as they become Eagle Scouts in Boy Scout Troop 371.

The 16-year-olds, sons of Margarita and K.L. Harvey, are originally from New Orleans and moved to the Willowridge area of Luling 12 years ago. In fifth grade, they got involved in Cub Scouts and began moving up the ranks.

They were taking the trail already blazed by elder brothers Michael, 23, and Ryan, 21, both of whom earned Eagle Scout rank. Both are now at Loyola University in New Orleans. In addition, their dad, while never attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, nevertheless urged his sons to participate in Scouting. He reached the rank of First-Class before moving to Civil Air Patrol.

“I urged my sons to join Scouting because of its positive values,” their father said. “Were very strong on that in this family. Its also an activity which keeps them busy.”

And, with raising four active sons, keeping them busy is a good thing to do. “I wanted to be in Scouts because my older brothers were in it,” Scott, the younger of the twins by two minutes. “As I got older, it helped me develop leadership and communications skills. I also learned plenty of knots.”

Kevin also cited the array of community service activities which appeal to him, such as the Relay for Life marathon for the American Cancer Society, car washes and running a booth at the Alligator Festival. Both twins are also cadet first lieutenants in Junior Air Force ROTC at Hahnville High School.

In addition, Scott assists in computer repairs for the St. Charles School Board in his so-called “free time” and both are involved in youth activities at Luling United Methodist Church.

As the youngest sons in the family, they also enjoy teaching the younger Scouts in the troops, sharpening their skills in the meantime. By the time this story comes out, they will be on a 50-mile hike in a National Forest in Mississippi near McComb.

However, Scouting is not all hard work, long hikes and camping. Its also fun, as the twins will relate.

Once, Scott was on a hike at Shiloh National Military Park in Tennessee when the troop took a break. He nodded off, and he was accidently left behind with no one noticing his absence until they had returned to the campsite.

“They came back and found me asleep and just about to roll off the edge of a bridge…”

Kevin on his first summer camp, had been doing well all week and earned the Honor Camper award. However, on the last day, he hand-made a bow and arrow and shot holes through a number of the troops tents.

Scott plans on a computer engineering career, but is still undecided on a college. While at Hahnville High, though, both are earning Microsoft certification.

Kevin is split between medicine and the military. Hes working on his private pilots license as well.

“Theyre just ordinary guys,” their mother said with a proud smile. Not a chance.