Zachary Craig and Will Stambaugh earn Eagle Scout
Part 2:  Eagle pinning ceremony honors parents and mentors

[September 01, 2017]  Having passed their challenges and taken their oaths, the next portion of the Court of Honor Ceremony on Sunday afternoon was the “Eagle Pinning.” The Eagle candidates came forward with their parents one at a time, and were pinned by their mothers, making it official that they were now Eagle Scouts.

Zachary Craig’s parents came forward and his mother Jennifer was instructed to install her son’s Eagle pin on his shirt. Zachary then pinned his mother and his father as his parent supporter. Craig also delivered his mentor pins to Scoutmaster Ed Robison and his grandfather, Dennis Schilling.

Craig addressed Robison saying, “Thank you for checking on my rank advancements, merit badge requirements, and (for) keeping me motivated. As you said before, ‘get that Eagle project done before the smell of gas and perfume. You were right, as it was a little harder getting my project done after getting my driver’s license and job. Our conversations will be remembered for a long time, and our friendship will last forever. Thank you again, for all you’ve done to get me here, and for all your dedication.”

Craig then called forward his grandfather, Dennis Schilling. “Granddad, where do I begin? Let’s start back in my Cub Scout years. When dad was working second shift, you stepped right in to help with my pinewood derby, and attended camp with me. During those years it was fun to hear your scouting stories with your brothers. You taught me stamina and the will to complete a task as we completed the 20-mile Lincoln Trail together. Thanks for encouraging me and seeing me along in my scouting career. Learning your standards in life, such as family comes first, time management, willingness to serve others, and love of God and country, have helped to make me the man I am today. I look forward to spending more time with you and showing you that I will always respect the man and grandad you are.”

In addition to his pin, Craig was gifted a special neckerchief worn exclusively by Eagles. A plaque was also presented to the Eagle.

Following the pinning, a slideshow was presented representing Craig’s scouting history. The show included narration from “Zac’s shirt,” a permanent piece of his scouting career, the shirt reviewed all the things that Craig had done in his career as a scout.

The pinning ceremony was repeated with Will Stambaugh. Will received his Eagle Scout pin from his mother Sarah, then in turn presented pins to his parents.

Will then presented his mentor pins, but not before acknowledging his father as a big part of his scouting career. “A mentor to me is someone who is always there to encourage and guide me and push me to complete my goals. A mentor always urges me to step out of my comfort zone and become a leader, the one who taught me about scouting and was at nearly every campout. While my dad was always there to encourage me, he requested that I pick someone else (as mentor), but I thank you dad.

“I’m giving my first mentor pin to Ray Papach. When I began scouting, Ray was my first scoutmaster. He was at my first campout and helped me set up my tent. He was always very encouraging and told me how he knew I was going to become an Eagle Scout. He was an Eagle, and all the boys looked up to him. Thank you Ray for being on as many campouts as you could, for being positive and encouraging and always having faith in me.”

Stambaugh presented his second pin to Scoutmaster Robison. “Thank you Ed for always being there as well, from Monday night meetings to campouts, you were there. You are a good leader and we all look up to you even when you are playing Munchkins and back-stabbing us! You shared your scouting experiences like your Eagle Court Review to help and encouraged me in my review. I will never forget your presence.”

Stambaugh also had a slideshow presentation reflecting back on his years and his progress from a young scout to an Eagle.

Robison, known to be a very good story teller, recounted his experiences with the two scouts in their history together, remembering camp outs and fun experiences.

He told the story of Zac challenging him to a jump on a skiing trip.

“I went up in the air a lot higher than I expected. My skis went one way, I went the other. I’m laying there in a heap counting my limbs, seeing if I’m still alive, and Zac flies by yelling ha-ha!”

Robison went on to recall his own youth, and how his father had been one who loved knowledge and books, and had impressed on his son his own standards in life. He noted that his father had stressed upon him to always be prepared. He thought he was, but one day he asked his dad what he really meant. His father had responded that Ed should always be prepared to “defend your ideas and your faith to other people.”

Robison’s father told him, “As scouts, you separate yourself out. People will look to you as you live your life, to point out to you if you fail, and follow you if you lead. What I learned from my dad was that means education, in whatever faith you practice. You need to study your Word and understand. A lot of people may come to ridicule you or oppose you immediately, but some people will come to you for guidance, and you need to know what you are talking about to help them. It is the same way with your political views and community views.”

Robison went on to say that the career as a scout helps with this; he noted that the badges the young men earn relate to developing that knowledge and leadership quality.

Robison also noted that being an Eagle did not mean there would be no mistakes made in the future of the young men, it meant that they would do their very best in everything they take on. He said, “Just because you become an Eagle Scout does not mean that everything you do is going to turn gold. It is harder than that, but it is the ability to take your failure, analyze it, understand it, and move on and to make the world a better place. Scouts is in the business of creating productive and good citizens, and you two are (that product).”

Robison then asked that all the adults who have gone on camping trips with the scouts to please stand. He noted, “These are the guys that have helped train these young men and I believe that they will share the same sentiment, that I have gotten far more from these boys than they got from me.”

[Nila Smith]