The journey that began in the fall of 1998 for Scout Ean Howard concluded on the evening of May 23 when he was awarded Scouting's highest honor, Eagle Scout, during an Eagle Court of Honor held on the shores of Twin Lakes.
This honor is earned by only 2 percent of boys who join Scouting.
Almost 70 friends, family, Scouts and Scouters witnessed the ceremony that chronicled Ean's journey from the rank of Tiger Cub to Eagle.
The ceremony was opened by Troop 465's Senior Patrol Leader, Aric Howard, lighting spirit candles representing two people who were important to Ean on his journey to Eagle: Ean's grandfather, John Patterson, and fellow Troop 465 Eagle Scout Kyle Music.
The Color Guard advanced and Aric led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath and Scout Law. He then introduced Assistant Scoutmaster Stan Bowman, who was the master of ceremony for the evening.
After introducing the Rev. Linda Sue Hewitt, Bourbon First United Church of Christ, who offered an opening prayer, Bowman then took the audience on Ean's journey to Eagle by describing the requirements for each rank that Ean earned.
Scoutmaster Rick Music and Assistant Scoutmaster Jason Lauer shared stories about Ean just before presenting him with his rank insignia and neckerchief. Ean then presented his parents Chuck and Samantha Howard with the father's tie-tac and mother's pin.Bowman asked all Eagle Scouts in attendance to stand and reaffirm their commitment to the ideals of being an Eagle Scout by repeating with Ean the Eagle Scout Promise.
Hewitt and Bowman closed the Court of Honor with prayer and dismissed everyone to the reception for a time of food and fellowship.
