Featured image: Scoutmaster Don Brown, with his newest Eagle Scouts and the Dekalb County Commission (Photo by Tyler Pruett)

By Tyler Pruett

tyler@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.— Five scouts from Dekalb County were honored at Tuesday’s regularly scheduled commission meeting for achieving the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. The county commission held a reception for the scouts before the meeting, then presented them with plaques and pins to commemorate their achievement.

The scouts honored were Cade Nagler, Thomas Gilbert, Allen Burgess, Tyler Moore, and Jordan Greene. District II Commissioner Derek Caldwell also honored their longtime scoutmaster, Don Brown.

Speaking to the commission meeting, Brown emphasized the importance of the scouts and the impact it has on young men’s lives.

“It helps prepare boys for their lives,” Brown explained. “It’s a good program for the boys to be in.”

During Brown’s service, he has served as scout master to over a thousand boys, with almost one hundred achieving the coveted title of Eagle Scout.

“43 years dedicated to one thing is a lot,” Caldwell said of Brown. “There’s one thing that Don puts into it that’s more than scouting: he still uses the lord to help him guide them.”

According to the Boy Scouts of America website, to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, candidates must complete a number of tasks to advance from the rank of Life Scout. They must earn at least a total of 21 merit badges in various tasks, including swimming, hiking, leadership, communication, and even cooking. Potential Eagle Scouts must also demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law, serve in a position of leadership within their troop, and do community service.

Before presenting the plaques, Caldwell read aloud the inscription, which stated that each scout, “has demonstrated strong leadership abilities and has exhibited a strong sense of duty, honor, and patriotism; making him a clear example of the best quality of American youth.”

Each plaque was signed by the entire county commission, and presented by Caldwell and Commission President Ricky Harcrow.