Eagle Scout

Mahlon Whitead received his Eagle Scout award in a heartwarming ceremony last Saturday evening in Sioux City, Iowa.

That's an easy sentence to write, but it's a difficult concept to grasp. Do you know what it takes to become an Eagle Scout? Not only for the Scout, but for the parents and the troop and the volunteers and all the people who were involved along the way?
Lots and lots of hard work, spread out over years and years. Lots of hand-crafted projects, day trips, hikes, campouts, disasters, bad food, sore feet, cramped hands, moments of triumph and hours of disappointment.

And we won't go into detail about the mosquitoes.

We were proud to be a part of the celebratory event, proud to sit in the audience and watch as a young man was recognized for many years of dedicated work, proud to see a loving and supportive mother recognized for many years of helping him along the path, proud to see a dedicated and hard-working father rewarded for keeping his son energized and active and faithful to those memorable words: "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country ... A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient ..."

We heard stories of Mahlon's loyalty and courage and strength and character, but the one element of his character which stood out in most everyone's thoughts was his integrity. When he says he's going to do something, he does it. And his parents can take much of the credit for forming that character, as we have seen them raise their children to be true to the promises they make, to stand behind their words, to speak the truth and be honest and faithful to their ideals.

But it is still Mahlon's choice to maintain that integrity, to hold true to the goals he has set. And we are honored to be members of his family as he continues the path he has chosen. We hope and pray that he will achieve the goals he has set for himself - they are not easy ones! - so that one day we will gather again to honor him for attaining them.