Eagle Court of Honor ceremony ideas/scripts

[The Virtual Turtle]

I'm a BSA Assistant Scoutmaster looking for ideas to create a unique Eagle
Court of Honor ceremony for a local troop here in New Hampshire. The troop
would like something special, but even with our pooled resources, are
lacking enough new ideas to select from. Many troops, like my own in
Milford, MA, have a sort of "standard" ceremony that is slightly modified
to suit each upcoming Eagle. If you have a typed out copy of your
ceremony, including the script, if possible, or even ideas to help build a
court, would you be willing to send it to me via e-mail?
I would appreciate any help!

My e-mail address is: tur...@de-inc.com

Thank you in advance!

Yours in Scouting,

Steve "Turtle" Rugoletti
Troop 2, Milford, MA
Knox Trail Council

[JJNash]

I had my ceremony a decade ago, and unforuntately I don't have a script,
but in my case that isn't really what mattered.
I had mine with 6 other scouts, and we did it with our troops standard
script
(ok, a few modifications for 7 Eagles).
But what was special was where we did it!
A local county park, and the Eagles arrived one by one by canoe & torch
light.
It gave a really great feel - not like several I have been involved with
in the church sanctuary - nothing against that, but those just didn't seem
far enough separated from other ceremonies.
Just my two cents,
John J. Nash

[Gordon Worley]

I just had my ceremony last may. I had a few Ideas that I really
wanted to throw in were to play "Fly like the Eagle" during part of my
ceremony. I couldn't find a suitable CD.
I'd steer clear of videos, as they get boring usually. I have the
ceremony that I used below. I adapted it from another that I read and
liked. feel free to do the same for your ceremony: copy, steal and
plagiarize to your heart's content.

Best of luck!

*******************************************************************************

Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony
By Douglas Worley, Eagle Scout 12-15-1996

Dramatis Personae:

MC: Tom Rae
Reader #1: Scott Rae
Reader #2: Kevin Pinegar
Reader #3: Galen Ferrel
Eagle #1: Matt Conner
Eagle #2: Pat Herrmann
Eagle Honor Guard: Pat Herrmann, Tony Webb, Karl Taylor, Matt Conner,
Damon Brandley.

MC:
May I please have your attention. I would like to call this Eagle
Scout Court of Honor to order. We have all gathered here to honor Eagle
Scout Candidate Douglas Arthur Worley on the achievement of Scoutingąs
highest award. First let us open with the flag ceremony.

Flags

MC:
It takes hours of diligent work on the behalf of the boy to accomplish
the Eagle Scout Rank. However, he cannot do it alone. Will the Honor
Guard please escort the parents of the candidate forward please.

Honor guard escorts parents forward.
Father and Mother give prepared speeches.
Mr. Rae gives prepared speech.

MC:
The Eagle Scout was installed as Scoutingąs highest rank in 1911. As
of the 1994 survey, only about two percent of all Boy Scouts earn the
coveted Eagle Scout. Tonight we have seven Eagles to escort Douglas
forward.

Eagle Honor Guard brings Douglas to stage.
Steve Miller Bandąs łFly Like the Eagle˛ plays. Fades down as Eagles
reach stage.
Eagles leave Candidate near American flag, and retire to seats.
Lights dim to obscure the stage.

Readers: (Alternate through the three one or two paragraphs apeice in sequence)
I am the Eagle. Since the beginning of time, man has used me and my
brother as a symbol of royalty, power, victory, authority, and valor. My
strength and courage has inspired men through the ages.

Ancient man looked upon me as an inveterate enemy of serpents. They
saw the battle between the sun and the clouds as battles between an eagle
and a serpent.

The ancient Assyrians associated me with Ashur, the great sun god. I
was awed and worshipped for my majestic beauty. In the Assyrianąs myths,
I was a symbol of storms and lightning and the god who carried souls to
Hades.

In India and Babylon, I was the symbol of fire, of wind and storms, and
the bringer of immortality.

In the Golden age of Greece, I was the symbol of victory and supreme
spiritual energy. I was the sacred bird of Zeus, the King of all Gods.
The Greeks resented me with wings outstretched, holding a serpent in my
talons. Thus, I resented the eternal triumph of Good, over Evil.

The Greeks also named the stars and constellations in the patters we
know today. One of the stars in the summer triangle, Altair, is in the
constellation Aquila, which means łEagle˛ in Greek.

In Rome, I was the symbol of Jupiter, the Supreme God, counterpart to
Zeus. The Romans saw me as the symbol of victory. As the Roman legions
conquered the world, they marched under the standard of the eagle with
outstretched wings. The silver eagle was the symbol of the republic and
the Roman Empire used the golden Eagle as itąs symbol. I became the
personal emblem of the Cćsars, resenting supreme authority.

In the Middle Ages, I became the symbol of Germany. And, as falconry
flourished as a sport in Europe, only kings were allowed to hunt with and
eagle.

The rise of Christianity brought me still more honor. To the early
Christian, the eagle was the symbol of ascension. This was due to the
straight flight of the eagle with itąs gaze fixed on the sun. In early
icons, I was best known as the symbol of St. John the Evangelist.

In the nineteenth century, French troops under Napoleon conquered
Europe under the symbol of the eagle. Many French soldiers gave their
lives to protect the golden eagle which supported the French flag on the
battleground.

On June 20, 1782, I became the symbol of a new country. Because of my
courage and beauty, I was chosen to symbolize the new United Stages of
America. The eagle became a prominent feature of the seal of the state of
the new republic.

From this early beginning, I have been used in many ways to symbolize
the ideals of this country. Several states have the eagle on their state
flags. You can find me on the coins of America from the beginning to
present day.

I have as prominent place in America as in ancient Rome as a symbol of
power and authority. The emblems of the President, Vice President,
several members of the Presidentąs cabinet, and most branches of the armed
forces center on the eagle.

From the god of the Assyrians to the symbol of the Cćsars to the emblem
of this country, it was thus fitting that the eagle should have a part in
the most momentous achievement of man. The Apollo 11 crew chose Eagle as
the name for the lunar module which was to make history. And with the
words of Eagle Scout Neil Armstrong, łHouston, Tranquility Base here. The
Eagle has landed.˛ Man was on the moon.

In 1911, following tradition as old as man himself, the Boy Scouts of
America chose the eagle to symbolize the very highest in achievement.
Through all of history, I have seen the symbol of manąs best, now the
eagle is the symbol of Scoutingąs best.

MC:
All those here understand the amount of work that the Eagle Scout award
entails for the candidate. However, he did not complete his łTrail to
Eagle˛ alone. Will the parents please rise for presentation of the Eagle
Rank.

Eagle #1:
Douglas Arthur Worley, it is with distinct honor and pleasure that I
present you with the Eagle Award.

He passes the medal to the mother to pin on her son.

Eagle #1:
No one will ever know the unnumbered acts of self-sacrifice and
helpfulness from the mother of this Eagle Scout which have led us to this
night. As a symbol of what this mother has made possible, the court now
asks Douglas to present to his mother a miniature Eagle pin.

Eagle #1 hands Douglas the pin to put on rank ribbon.

Eagle #1:
Douglas, it is customary that you also give your mother an Eagle Kiss.
Your father has stood by you over the years and has offered his
encouragement and assistance. As a symbol of what he has contributed to
your attainment of this Fatherąs Eagle Scout tie-tac.

Eagle #1 hands Douglas the tie-tac. He pins it on his father and they
shake hands.

Eagle #2:
Would all Eagles please stand with the candidate for the Eagle Charge.
Douglas, I have the honor to give you the Eagle Charge on the occasion of
this occasion.

Eagle charge.

Eagle #2:
Douglas, when your first joined Troop 12, you learned the ideals of
Scouting through the Scout Oath. It is proven that you understand those
ideals.

Scouts, parents, and guests, please stand.

Douglas, please give the scout sign, and repeat the Scout Oath slowly.

Douglas repeats the Oath slowly.

Your conduct along the scouting trail has been exemplary. Your
training and experience have served you well. However, this trail has not
yet ended, yet started anew. Lining the front rows of the audience are
younger scouts, which need your support on their own Trails to Eagle.
Your experience will be a vital part of their travels through scouting.

Scouts, family, and guests, hbe seated. By the authority vested in me
by the National Council, Boy Scouts of America, it is my privilege and
pleasure to pronounce you an Eagle Scout. May the Oath you have taken
remain engraved on your heart forever. We will now hear from Troop 12ąs
newest Eagle Scout.

Douglas gives prepared speech.

MC:
By the authority vested in me as a representative of the Golden Empire
Council and the National Council, Boy Scouts of America, I now declare
this National Court of Honor Closed. I ask the members of the court and
all Eagle Scouts present to be the first to congratulate Douglas,
Scoutingąs newest Eagle Scout. Following this, everyone will have the
opportunity to do so. There will be a reception following this.

(Adapted from History of the Eagle and Man Ceremony, Golden Empire
Council. Eagle Scout Ceremonies for Eagle Courts of Honor)