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Seven young men attain Eagle Scout status

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. JT May III
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Seven young men received the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America organization June 6, during a ceremony at the Deel Community Center here. 

All seven young men, including Cyrus Belenky, Adam Robo, Zachary Seals, Jarrod Swanson, Kyle Swanson, Mario Tedesco II and Nathaniel Walker - children of active duty military and civilian members at Fairchild - were honored as Eagle Scouts in Fairchild AFB Boy Scout Troop 342 by the Court of Honor of the Inland Northwest Concil, Boy Scouts of America. 

The Eagle Scout rank takes four to six years to acquire and must be completed before the scout turns 18-years-old. Only 5 percent of Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges and demonstrate spirit, service and leadership. This includes a laborious service project that the member must plan, organize, lead and manage independently. 

"As examples for the community to emulate, Eagle Scouts regularly demonstrate outstanding leadership and compassion in their daily lives," said Hillary Swanson, 92nd Aerospace Medical Squadron commander secretary, and mother of Eagle Scouts Kyle and Jarrod Swanson.

"The Scouts learn valuable life lessons which help prepare them for future job opportunities," said Denis McLaughlin, Grizzly Clan White Mt. Apache coordinator.
"Seventeen percent of Eagle Scouts find jobs relating to their work efforts in achieving merit badges."

And the U.S. military recognizes the outstanding efforts of young men such as these. Scouts who enlist in the military receive advanced rank in exchange for their already proven dedication in the Boy Scouts of America program.

At the close, the master of ceremonies reiterated the goals of scouting, which include citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness.