Troop 13 welcomes new Eagle Scout
The title of Eagle Scout is held for life, so the phrase “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle” holds true for the 82 Eagle Scouts from St Charles' Bethlehem Lutheran Church Boy Scout Troop 13 since it began in 1926.
The Troop continues to be proud of not only the number of Eagle Scouts but in some of memorable Eagle Scout projects and the variety of distinguishable careers that those boys have gone on.
The Eagle Scout Rank is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout program of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout Rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men. Not every boy who joins a Boy Scout troop earns the Eagle Scout rank; only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts do. On average, Troop 13 presents 2-3 Eagle Scouts each year with the high record of (9) in 2010. Currently Troop 13 has six Eagle Scout projects being worked on with another 12 expected to be completed within the next 2 years.
A few of the memorable Eagle Scout projects have included Derek Broadhead (4/7/08) who mapped out and cleaned all old Military grave headstones at the St Charles North Cemetery. This project continues to make an impact since every Memorial Day, the Boy Scouts place flags a those graves as a way to say thank you for your service. Another project that gave back to the Military was Nick Amatangelo (11/28/08) who collected more than 10,000 items that were then shipped overseas to be distributed to Military personnel.
Some other memorable Eagle Scout projects have been construction projects including a new pavilion at Corron Farm by Mark McCarty (4/12/10) while others have had to remove items before repairs and construction can be done. Josh Nelson (5/28/08) worked to remove invasive plants before repairing a (100) year old fireplace and installing both paths and benches to make it more inviting at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Cory Miklas (12/13/10) worked to remove old fencing along with invasive plants before installing a half mile of barb wired fence at Primrose Farm.
Those who have earned the Eagle Scout rank with Troop 13 have gone on to some distinguished careers. Those include Joe K Anderson (11/3/33) who started Colonial Café; James Martin (6/9/54) who became a St Charles City Council Alderman beginning in 1979 to present; and Warren M Beeh (3/28/72) who is a doctor with Fox Valley Family Physicians.
Troop 13 also has had several families of Eagle Scouts starting with Allen L Landmeier (12/17/57) who became an attorney; his sons Matthew A (10/21/96); Mark W (4/7/98) who became a doctor; and Michael C (11/26/01). There also have been brothers such as Brnadon Altergott (1993) and Byron Altergott (2004).
Eagle Scout is not the end but a beginning. After they receive their Eagle Scout, 30 Eagle Scouts from Troop 13 have gone on to earn Eagle Scout Palms. Eagle Palms are not a rank but an award. Palms represent additional advancement for those who have stayed active in the Troop.
A Palm is awarded when the Scout has been active in the unit for at least three months since attaining Eagle (or a previous Palm); has demonstrated Scout Spirit, leadership and ability; has earned five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle or the last Palm; and has taken part in a conference with his unit leader.
The insignia is a small metallic palm frond pin that is worn on the ribbon of the Eagle Scout medal. The Palms are awarded in three colors: bronze, representing five merit badges; gold, representing ten merit badges; and silver, representing 15 merit badges. The order of bronze, gold and silver follows heraldic traditions borrowed from the U.S. military.