Paris Boy Scout awarded Eagle rank

Submitted photo

State Rep. Samantha Kerkman shared the following info:

The Boy Scouts of America welcomed its newest Eagle Scout, Michael Meade, during a Court of Honor ceremony on Friday, Jan. 8, at Paris Town Hall. Michael earned the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor after nearly three years of hard work in fulfilling requirements such as merit badges and a community service project. In completing his project, Michael devoted more than 225 hours of his time to coordinate 70 volunteers with the Silver Lake American Legion in establishing a flag repository that collected more than 2,400 worn flags. Michael then saw to it that the flags were properly retired in an effort to raise awareness in his community about the importance of flag etiquette, treatment and respect given the significance behind this lasting American symbol.

For anyone who is interested, the flag repository is still in place at the American Legion post in Silver Lake where worn flags may be taken and properly retired. 

Since joining the Boy Scouts of America as a Tiger Cub in 1999, Michael has earned a number of merit badges en route to becoming an Eagle Scout, including Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Environmental Science, First Aid, and Lifesaving. He has also held a number of leadership positions such as Senior Patrol Leader, Historian, and Philmont Crew Leader. According to Michael, “the true importance of becoming an Eagle Scout lies not in the path taken to get there, but further down where the path is soon to lead…The Eagle Scout award is the foundation for a future built upon such standards, it engenders one’s aspiration to greater things and to greater places, and it is a way to live the rest of one’s life to one’s greatest ability.” 

Michael was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in the presence of his family, fellow scouts, Scoutmasters, and Father William Hayward of St. Peter Parish. Also in attendance at the Court of Honor were State Representative Samantha Kerkman and State Senator Bob Wirch. In commemoration of his achievement, a plaque signed by Representative Kerkman and Senator Wirch was presented to Michael on behalf of the Wisconsin Legislature.