Complete Script for the

Eagle Scout Court of Honor

for Benjamin J. Arneberg

2pm Sunday, October 29, 2006

Sound system:	Dave Bishop

Projector:	Monique Woods

Acting SPL:	Mark Pokrzywinski

OPENING

SPL: "Ladies and gentlemen, please stand at attention... Color Guard, PRESENT THE COLORS."

(Josh Reiter drums while the flag is marched up.)(Color guard brings flag up, unfolds it, and raises it.) (Scouts walk in behind flag.)

(When it's ready to hoist:) “Hand salute.

Bugler sound." (“To the Colors” while it's being raised.)

SPL: "I Pledge allegiance to the flag..." "Two. Please join us in singing our National Anthem."

Star-Spangled Banner (?)

SPL: "I would like ask our Troop Chaplain Marcus Culbert to give the invocation."

Marcus: (Opening prayer)

SPL: Scout Law (see APPENDIX A).

SPL: "Scouts, please give the Scout Sign as we recite the Scout Oath.” (do oath)

SPL: "Now I'd like to introduce our Scoutmaster, Mr. Tom Arneberg"

Tom A: Welcome, Opening remarks (appZ)

SCOUT SECTION

Dale P: "100 Scouts" (see APPENDIX B)

(Monique: display rank patches on screen)

Tom A: "Trail to Eagle" (See APPENDIX C)

EAGLE SECTION

Glenn W: Special presentation

Richard Smith: Ben's project; Ice Age Trail

Jim A: The Legend of Eagle Mountain	(APPENDIX D)

Paul A: Significance of the Eagle Rank	(and Keynote Address) (APPENDIX E)

SLIDE SHOW (13 minutes) (screen up)

AWARD PRESENTATION

Darin T: Present award	(APPENDIX F)

COMMENDATION LETTERS

Jim W: (Read excerpts from letters as time/flow allows.)

CLOSING

Jim W: Benediction (and a few extra words if he wants!)

Jim W: "Please join us afterward for some cake and refreshments. Now we need our acting SPL, Mark Pokrzwinski, to officially close the meeting."

SPL: "Please stand...Scouts at attention... hand salute...RETIRE THE COLORS"

(Bugler sounds Taps as flag is lowered)... "Two."

(Josh R. drums while the flag is marched to the back.)

(Eagle Scout and parents march back to lobby behind the flag, then all scouts.)

SPL: "Thank you; you are dismissed."

----------- END OF PROGRAM ----------

Appendix A: Scout Law Candle Ceremony

(12 Scouts line up and each light a candle as they explain their point of the Scout Law. This should be deliberate, unhurried and with serious manner.)

SPL: This green candle symbolizes the Spirit of Scouting. Guests, please be seated as we illuminate the 12 points of the Scout Law.

SPL: A Scout Is Trustworthy.

Scout 1: A Scout's honor is to be trusted. If he were to violate his honor by telling a lie, or by cheating, there may be serious consequences.

SPL: A Scout Is Loyal.

Scout 2: He is loyal to all to whom loyalty is due: his Scout Leader, his home, his parents, his church, and his country.

SPL: A Scout Is Helpful.

Scout 3: He must be prepared at any time to save a life, help injured persons, and share the home duties. He must try to do at least one Good Turn for somebody every day.

SPL: A Scout Is Friendly.

Scout 4: He is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout. He is especially friendly to new kids and those who need a friend.

SPL: A Scout Is Courteous.

Scout 5: He is polite to all, especially to women, children, old people, and the weak and helpless. He must not take pay for being helpful or courteous.

SPL: A Scout Is Kind.

Scout 6: He is a friend to animals. He will not kill nor hurt any living creature needlessly, but will strive to save and protect all harmless life.

SPL: A Scout Is Obedient.

Scout 7: He obeys his parents, Scoutmaster, Patrol Leader, and all other duly constituted authorities. If he thinks a rule is unjust, he will work to change the rule rather than just disobeying it.

SPL: A Scout Is Cheerful.

Scout 8: He smiles whenever he can. His obedience to orders is prompt and cheery. He never shirks nor grumbles at hardships.

SPL: A Scout Is Thrifty.

Scout 9: He does not wantonly destroy property. He works faithfully, wastes nothing, and makes the best use of his opportunities. He saves his money so that he may pay his own way, be generous to those in need, and helpful to worthy causes.

SPL: A Scout Is Brave.

Scout 10: He has the courage to face danger in spite of fear and to stand up for right against the peer pressure of friends or the jeers or threats of enemies. Defeat does not down him.

SPL: A Scout Is Clean.

Scout 11: He keeps clean in body and thought, stands for clean speech, clean sport, clean habits, and travels with a clean crowd.

SPL: A Scout Is Reverent.

Scout 12: He is reverent toward God. He lets God's light shine through the way he lives his life.

Appendix B:

100 Scouts

Of any one hundred boys who become Scouts, it must be confessed that thirty will drop out in their first year. Perhaps this may be regarded as a failure, but in later life all of these will remember that they had been Scouts and will speak well of the program.

Of the one hundred, only rarely will one ever appear before a juvenile court judge. Twelve of the one hundred will be from families that belong to no church. Through Scouting, these twelve and many of their families will be brought into contact with a church and will continue to be active all their lives. Six of the one hundred will become pastors.

Each of the one hundred will learn something from scouting. Almost all will develop hobbies that will add interest throughout the rest of their lives. Approximately one-half will serve in the military, and in varying degrees profit from their Scout training. At least one will use it to save another person's life and many will credit it with saving their own.

Two of the one hundred will reach Eagle rank, and one will later say that he valued his Eagle above his college degree.

Many will find their future vocation through merit badge work and Scouting contacts.

Seventeen of the one hundred boys will later become Scout leaders and will give leadership to thousands of additional boys.

Only one in four boys in America will become Scouts, but it is interesting to know that of the leaders of this nation in business, religion and politics, three out of four were Scouts.

Appendix C:

Trail to Eagle

Scout -- Mitchel Hoffman

Tenderfoot -- Mike Schaller

Second Class -- Will Schaller

1st Class -- Alex Tillotson

Star -- Matt Hoffman

Life -- Jordan Berg

(Note: a picture of each badge will be displayed on the screen as it's discussed.)

Emcee: "Trail boys, please come up front."

Emcee: "Many of you here today are not all that familiar with the Boy Scout program. Boys can come and camp and have a lot of fun, but the boys who really get the most out of Scouting are those who earn their way up the ranks. We're going to invite some of our Scouts up here to help explain the rungs of the ladder."

Emcee: "First up we have Mitchel Hoffman. Mitchel joined only a couple months ago, and he is at the first rank, SCOUT."

Mitchel: "For the SCOUT rank, I have to know the Scout sign and Scout salute, the Pledge of Allegiance, and how to tie a square knot. I must understand the Scout Oath and the Scout Law."

Emcee: "Next up is Tenderfoot Mike Schaller."

Mike: "For the Tenderfoot rank, I had to camp in a tent and cook outdoors. I had to memorize the Scout Oath and Law, and demonstrate how to treat the American flag. I also did some physical tests and learned some first aid.

Emcee: "Requirements get a little harder with the Second Class rank. Here is Will Schaller, who is almost Second Class."

Will: "For Second Class we have to hike five miles using a compass. We also do some swim tests, learn more first aid, find signs of wild animals, show how to build a fire and handle an ax, and do a service project."

Emcee: "First Class is considered a 'complete Scout.' Anyone who makes it to First Class knows all the basics of Scouting. Here is Alex Tillotson to tell us more."

Alex: "For First Class I had to do orienteering with a compass, know about plants, and had to be in charge of planning a meal and cooking it over a fire. I also learned more first aid, more knots, and did more swimming tests."

Emcee: "The road steepens with the STAR rank. This is the first rank that requires the boy to earn merit badges, including four of the badges that are required for Eagle. Matt Hoffman recently earned his Star rank."

Matt: "To get to Star, I had to serve in a troop leadership position and had to do a six-hour service project. I also earned merit badges in _____, _____, _____, and _____."

Emcee: "A LIFE scout is getting way up there. Not many boys who join Boy Scouts make it that high -- it is the last step before Eagle. We've only had four or five boys earn their way to Life in the history of our troop. One of them is Jordan Berg."

Jordan: "For LIFE, I had to serve in a troop leadership for six months as a Star Scout. I was elected Senior Patrol Leader of the troop last year. I had to do another service project, and had to earn five more merit badges, such as ___________, ___________, and _____________."

Emcee: "Thank you, Jordan. And that's the trail that leads up to the highest rank, Eagle. The next portion of our program focuses on the Eagle rank."

(Glenn Woods)

Appendix D:

The Legend of Eagle Mountain

(Editor's note: In Norwegian, “BERG” means “mountain” (like “iceberg”), and “ARNE” means “eagle.” So “ARNEBERG” literally means “EAGLE MOUNTAIN”!)

by Mark Ray

Early one morning a young boy stood at a trailhead.

Before him rose a mighty mountain, which seemed all the mightier when compared with his smallness. A trail led to the mountain and then up to the incredible heights before vanishing in the clouds.

On this trail, the boy could see other boys and young men, some of whom turned and beckoned him to follow. The boy began to climb, refusing perhaps to believe that he could ever reach the top. At first the trail rose gently, and the boy had many companions. But soon he began to sweat and breathe heavily, and many of his companions turned away. And still the boy climbed.

At times he climbed quickly. At times he climbed slowly. At times he had to go down a little way to find another path or stop a while to catch his breath.

But still he climbed.

The trail became steeper, the air thinner, but the climber scarcely noticed for he had, along the way, become stronger of body and hardier of spirit.

And still he climbed, and finally in the cool peace of evening time, he stood alone at the top of the world and looked around him. To the left he saw a fiery golden sunset. To the right he saw a diamond-studded, silky-black night sky. Behind him he saw the trail that he had followed and the hikers who were following in his footsteps.

And in front of him he saw another mountain. And another. And another. And a whole procession of mountains marching off to the horizon. But the young man (for now he was a man) knew that none of these other mountains was insurmountable, that all could and would be climbed. For he had learned many skills in the climbing of the first mountain, and he would carry those skills with him long after this mountain was forgotten.

And besides, he could begin climbing the next mountain tomorrow. Tonight he would rest and celebrate and ponder the journey that he had completed.

And so tonight, we pause to rest and celebrate and honor this fine young man, Eagle Scout Benjamin Arneberg, as he stands at the top of the world and looks around him.

Appendix E: Significance of the Eagle rank

Webster's dictionary describes an eagle as a large bird of prey with sharp vision and powerful wings, famous for their strength, size, grace, and keen vision. It is the national emblem for the United States. Though the eagle is found throughout the world, it is never found in abundance; it is always rare and it is always a superb specimen.

In Scouting the eagle stands for strength of character, and for knowledge of all phases of Scouting. The eagle represents an understanding of community and nation, and a deep respect for same. The eagle is a symbol of what a young man has done as well as what that young man will do, and will be, when he grows to manhood. The eagle is a leader. The eagle is respected, both by his peers and by his adult leaders.

The EAGLE SCOUT AWARD is the highest award available to youth members of the Boy Scouts of America. It is a recognition by the National Court of Honor, presented through the local council and a local court of honor.

It represents many years of dedicated effort, and the successful completion of a long process which started when the young man became a Boy Scout. It is a demonstration of how people, working together, can truly help mold a young man with a solid sense of leadership, citizenship, and responsibility.

Not every Scout qualifies for the high rank of Eagle.

1. The physical requirements are strenuous, as set forth in the required merit badges.

2. Mental requirements are unusual and require much more than average intelligence.

3. Perhaps an even more difficult and more important requirement for the Eagle rank is the personal character of the Scout as reflected in his right attitudes toward God and the ideals of Scouting, as reflected in his cooperation and service to others in church, the home, school and community. The applicant must have a high degree of the spirit of cheerful service to others which is a basis of good citizenship.

The attainment of the Eagle Scout Rank is indeed the highest honor that a Scout may achieve.

When a boy enters Scouting, in the three parts of the Scout Oath, he promises upon his honor to do his best to do his duty:

* first, to God and his country;

* second, to other people, by helping them at all times; and

* third, to himself, by keeping himself physically strong,

mentally awake, and morally straight.

Likewise, the Scout Law he promises to obey is put into effect as the occasion may demand. He is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Each is an important foundation stone in the building of strong character.

An Eagle Scout is one who has taken the Scout Oath and Law, to which he has promised, and embodied them within his character. The Oath and Law have become a part of him; they guide and direct him.

(continued on next page)

Significance of Eagle (cont'd)

Very few Scouts make it this far -- only about 2% of all scouts -- and it is a great achievement for all parties involved: the Scout, his family, his community, his unit, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Many Eagle Scouts have gone on to assume important positions:

One of our Presidents is an Eagle Scout: Gerald Ford.

A previous survey of leaders revealed that:

* 17 of our United States Senators,

* over 60 of our Congressmen,

* 11 of our state Governors,

* 14 of our senior military officers, and

* Over 1700 chief executive officers/

presidents/heads of corporations are

all Eagle Scouts.

Other Famous Eagles include:

* Steven Spielberg, Film Director/Producer,

* James Brady, Former Press Secretary to President Reagan

Of the 214 former and present astronauts, 142 have taken part in Scouting. 33 became Eagle Scouts, including Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon.

Awarding the Eagle is an important and serious matter. It is the climax and goal toward which this Scout has been working for several years. It is the culmination of the efforts of the parents and leaders of this Scout. It is an occasion for pride and for joy.

Eagle is the highest and most coveted award in all of Scouting, and it is the last major step in the advancement program. It is, at this point, that Scouting has achieved its purpose in these Eagles:

* in building participating citizenship,

* in growth in moral strength and character, and

* in development in physical, mental, and emotional fitness.

(NOTE to Monique and Dave and whomever – Paul may edit these comments somewhat, and will follow it with the “keynote speech” of his own, probably another 5-10 minutes.)

Appendix F:

Actual Award

(Darin comes up immediately after slides.)

Darin: "My name is Darin Thomas. I am the former Scoutmaster for Troop 72. Honor guard, please escort the Eagle candidate and his parents to the stage."

(Honor guard escorts Ben and parents to the front, where they stand facing the audience.)

(Honor guard is former SPLs Nate & Jordan.)

Darin: "Presentation of the Eagle Award is an important and serious matter. For the Eagle Candidate before us today, this award is a climax of over five years of Scouting efforts."

Darin: "We have the honor and pleasure of recognizing Ben as our troop's first Eagle Scout. Many people in Ben's life have labored long and faithfully to build his character, develop his leadership, and hone his citizenship through the Boy Scout program. However, it is the candidate's personal efforts and achievement that culminates in the presentation of the Eagle Award."

Darin: "Ben, please stand and give the Scout Sign, and repeat after me. If there are other Eagle Scouts in the audience, please stand and repeat the pledge along with Ben." (wait for them to stand)

Darin/Ben/Eagles:

"I thoughtfully recognize

and take upon myself

the obligations and responsibilities

of an Eagle Scout."

"With the help of God,

I will do my best

to make my training an example."

"My influence and my opportunities

strongly count for physical fitness,

for wholesome character

and for devoted citizenship,

in Scouting,

and in my community."

"To this I pledge my sacred honor."

Darin: (to Eagles in audience) "You may be seated."

Darin: "Ben, you have been judged by the Boy Scouts of America of being worthy of the highest rank in this great movement. All who know you rejoice in your achievement. Your position, as you know, is one of honor and responsibility. You are a marked man. As an Eagle Scout, you have assumed a solemn obligation. As you live up to your pledge, you bring honor to yourself, to your brother Scouts, and to God."

Darin: "You may present your Eagle parents' pins to your mother and father."

(Ben puts pin on mom and tie tack on dad.)

Darin: "Ben, would you like to say a few words before the official award?"

Ben: (parents sit down; acceptance speech)

Darin: "Ben, I'd like to present you with this official Eagle pin.”

(Darin pins the badge onto Ben's shirt.)

Darin: Ben, by the authority vested in me by the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America, it is my privilege and pleasure to officially declare you an Eagle Scout. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you EAGLE SCOUT BENJAMIN JOHN ARNEBERG!" (Thunderous applause)

Darin: "To conclude the ceremony, I'd like to introduce Jim Woldhuis, the pastor of Chippewa Valley Bible Church."

Appendix Z:

Emcee notes

(Note: I was just going to wing these introductions, then I figured I might as well type up what I think I'll say, in case it helps other people to keep in touch with where we are. -Tom Arneberg)

WELCOME

Thank you, Mark. By the way, Mark is our Acting Senior Patrol Leader today. Our normal SPL is otherwise occupied (getting an acceptance speech ready!), so Ben asked Mark to take over SPL duties for today. Mark has been a member of this troop since Day 1 (March 2001), and is turning 18 in just a few weeks. So this is his last formal function as a youth Boy Scout.

Anyway, good afternoon, and thank you all for coming to this Eagle Court of Honor. Your presence here today not only honors Ben, but supports our troop and the whole Scouting movement.

I'd like to welcome a few special visitors today. Wade Gilbert, District Advancement Chair...Chris Arndt, District Executive and former waterfront director at summer camp...Steve Blanchard, Director of Youth Ministries at this church......former Mayor Virginia Smith...current Mayor Dan Hedrington. Ben's grandparents...(Did I miss anyone?) We did send an invitation to Brett Favre... I'm sure he would've come, but he couldn't get off work today. (Sorry to rub it in for all you Packers fans! Hopefully you're taping the game.) We also have several Eagle Scouts in the audience; you'll get to see them later as they renew their vows.

How about this, though – if you're an adult who's ever been on a campout with our troop, please stand.... At our last normal court of honor, I did a slide show displaying every adult who had helped the troop in just the last six months – it was TWENTY FIVE PEOPLE!

SCOUT SECTION

Our first section of the program today is where we talk a little about Boy Scouts. Our first speaker is going to explain a few statistics about boys who become Scouts. Please welcome a man who has helped with three of our troop campouts, Eagle Scout Dale Poynter.

Dale P: "100 Scouts" (see APPENDIX B)

(intro for next is in Appendix C)

Scouts: "Trail to Eagle" (See APPENDIX C)

EAGLE SECTION

Our first speaker in this section wants to present a special award to Ben. He is an Assistant Scoutmaster and “Popcorn Kernel” for our troop. Please welcome Eagle Scout Glenn Woods.

Glenn W: Special presentation

(Emcee notes cont'd on next page)

Appendix Z – Emcee Notes (cont'd)

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, every candidate must perform a special service project. These projects must benefit a community group other than Scouting, must have lasting value, and must involve a lot of other people under the Eagle candidate's leadership.

It seems that most Eagle projects are creating or building something. With Ben's petite build and delicate surgeon-like hands, he was hoping to find something like fixing Swiss watches. No, really, Ben realized he is more suited to TEAR UP AND DESTROY everything in his path, so he found the PERFECT project for him -- to blaze a new 1-mile section of the Ice Age Trail near Cornell. To explain more about the project and about the trail, please welcome the Director of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, Mr. Richard Smith.

Richard Smith: Ben's project; Ice Age Trail

Our next speaker is going to read a short story called “The Legend of Eagle Mountain.” This story appears on web sites and in a book devoted to the Eagle Court of Honor.

Here's a fun fact you may not have known – in Norwegian, the word “BERG” means “mountain.” This makes sense when you think of mountainous things like ICEBERGS and JORDAN-BERGS.

But what's REALLY cool is that “ARNE” means “Eagle.” So the word “Arneberg” in Norwegian literally means “Eagle Mountain”! True story!! With that spirit, let's welcome a guy who has been on several campouts with Troop 72, my kid brother Jim “Eagle-Mountain” Arneberg.

Jim A: The Legend of Eagle Mountain (D)

Our last speaker before the slide show is one of my favorites. He has joined two of our troop's great backpacking expeditions on the North Shore of Lake Superior, and his career is actually working with youth, so he knows something about teenage boys. Please welcome my baby brother Mr. Paul Arneberg.

Paul A: Significance of the Eagle Rank (and Keynote Address) (App.E)

Now we have a real treat for you. One thing our troop does is take a lot of photos! Boy, how I'd love even ONE photo of my Scouting adventures in my youth – but nobody took cameras on campouts back then. Well, I'm here to fix that -- I was able to find way more than one photo of Ben's adventures. So sit back and relax while you get to see the life of a Scout in pictures.

SLIDE SHOW (13 minutes)

Script for Ben A's Eagle Court of Honor (10/29/06) page 10 of 10 -FINAL VERSION(?) - printed on 10/27/06 at 16:31

2006-09-24T18:08:58