DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / March 4, 2000

LUTCHER – As the sun set Sunday evening three men were awarded the Eagle Scout Pin, signaling the end of their progression through the Boy Scouts with the highest honor attainable in the organization.

Dusty Lambert, Chuck Martin Jr. and Michael Mohon were recognized for theirtremendous achievement, a goal which few people accomplish.

Friends and family of Troop 151 joined in celebration as scoutmaster of 17 years Kerry Melancon handed out various merit badges and rank promotions to all of his scouts.

Brad Warden, a production manager at Laroche Industries and one of Melancon’s first Eagle Scouts, stood before the young men and told of where being an Eagle Scout had taken him and what it had meant.

“Be prepared,” Warden said, quoting the Boy Scout’s motto. “That is thebest way to explain what scouting has taught me. Pledging and following theBoy Scout’s law has prepared me for all of life’s twists and turns and has taught me how to live.”Anyone knows the traits of the individual when they see “Eagle Scout” on a resume, said Warden. He explained how he advanced through the ranks atLaroche by striving for goals as his scout training had taught him. He spokeof his future at the company and outline where he expects to be in the years to come.

“They have set a goal, and (scouting) has shown them how to achieve that goal,” Warden said of the three men. “Scouting has given them a road tofollow. This is where I want to be. This is where I want to go.”Warden closed, saluting the men and saying, “On my honor,” quoting the first line of the Boy Scout pledge, “honesty is always the rule to success.”Melancon rose and introduced the men before the crowd. He reminded them”the Eagle stands as a protector of the weak.””You have become a guide to other scouts and an example to the community,” said Melancon.

The families of the honored and eight other Eagle Scouts rose out of the audience as the men were presented with their pins. The mothers pinned theEagle Scout award to their chests. In turn, the three Eagle Scouts pinned anaward on their mothers and presented a plaque to their fathers, honoring them for their support and guidance through their lives.

As the last step of the ceremony the lights were dim, and as their scoutmaster recited the laws of the Boy Scouts the men lighted a display of candles, physically representing the rules they had sworn to obey.

Lambert, 17, son of David and Debbie and brother of fellow Eagle Scouts Davey and Derek, attends East Ascension High School. He plans to attendcollege after graduation and study architecture. For his Eagle Scout projecthe scraped and repainted 10 of the interior and exterior doors at Lutcher Elementary.

Martin, 17, son of Chuck Sr. and Mona, attends Lutcher High School. He plansto major in information services at LSU. For his Eagle Scout project hepainted municipal numbers on curbs in front of the houses of Northwoods Subdivision.

Mohon, 18, son of Ray and Elise, attends Riverside Academy. He plans topursue a business degree and has offered his services as a troop leader to Troop 151. His Eagle Scout project, completed last August, consisted ofrepairing and repainting Amato Park.

The Eagle Scout projects are organized, paid for and completed by the scouts themselves. The Eagle Scout candidates propose, plan and accomplisha project that promotes and contributes to the community.Back to Top

Back to Leisure Headlines

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

Internet services provided by NeoSoft.

Best viewed with 3.0 or higher