Zac: Our First Eagle Scout

Back in September of 2015, Zac embarked upon his final leg of Scouting: the Eagle Scout Project.  Zac chose to help the City of Colorado Springs put on their annual Emergency Preparedness Awareness "Zombie" Run.  Along the 5k route, the runners, who each have three flag-football-type flags, try to avoid letting the "zombie" actors pull their flags so they don't "die," as well as make their way through several obstacles.  Zac's project was to build one obstacle and assemble/set-up the other obstacles for the day, as well as recruit helpers to man the obstacles in case one malfunctioned.  Over a few weeks with the help of Dad and Grandpa, he built a short wall that the runners had to climb over, and the day of, he managed and assigned helpers to obstacles including: navigating a mud pit, climbing through a spider web, shimmying under some construction horses, jumping through a tire field, weaving through pool noodle pipes, etc.  He did a great job managing everything and it all went very smoothly!

Next came the real challenge: getting all of the Eagle Paperwork done (see how it's in caps?  That's because it's a huge project all on its own!).  It took a looooong time to get it done.  Partly because there is a lot of it, partly because it's really boring and there are many other things that a teenage boy would rather do, and partly because there is no real deadline other than "age 18" so it's easy to put it on the back-burner.  It was a real gift that in the summer of 2016, Zac's Priest Quorum leader, Thor Cummings, planned a canoeing trip for all of the boys in the ward who had completed their Eagle Project and submitted their Eagle Paperwork.  It was just the push and deadline Zac needed to get it all finished.  In June of 2016, Zac completed his paperwork, wrapped up the last couple of merit badges that he needed, had his Eagle Board of Review and was nominated to the rank of Eagle Scout.  And it was so worth it...that canoe trip was fantastic!

At last, it was time to hold Zac's Eagle Court of Honor, but there were a couple of friends in his troop that we thought were nearly done with theirs, so we decided to hold off on having the COH to see if they would finish up so we could hold the event for more than one boy.  Then there were ward boundary changes, THEN there were stake boundary changes, and then those boys still never finished.  So, we decided to just go ahead and hold Zac's COH.

It was a lovely evening!  What a proud moment for us as parents.  It is not an easy thing, and it is a long journey with a lot of work (not all of it fun) to get to Eagle, but we are so glad Zac set it as a goal and never wavered.  It was so special to have Grandma and Grandpa join us for the night to support Zac.  I know it meant a lot to him!  We heard from his current Scout leader, Arturo Martinez, as well as the leader who was in charge when Zac finalized all of his paperwork, Chris Wilkinson, and although no longer his Scout leader, Thor Cummings came as a representative of the Stake to give Zac his award.  We heard about the Trail to Eagle...and while it was briefly explained, we chuckled about how LONG trail it really was!  Adam and I received Mother's and Father's Pins, and Zac presented Thor with the Mentor Pin.  Thor was his Deacons' Quorum leader when he turned 12 and really got him going--getting merit badges passed off as quickly as possible, and then gave him that final push to finish up the paperwork.  I was able to pin Zac's Eagle Award on him, and Adam bestowed him with his new Eagle neckerchief and slide.  At last, our Zac was able to join the Eagle's Nest and sit next to his dad and grandfather, both Eagles as well.  It was really special!   

As part of the program, we had a special presentation by the Scoutmaster of Troop 514 about the Challenger Flag.  The Challenger Flag is an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol and then sent in the flight kit of the disastrous final mission of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986 by LDS Troop 514 in Monument, CO.  It was subsequently, miraculously, recovered intact and undamaged.  A bag full of commemorative medallions in storage right next to it had melted into one lump.  Because of the flag's amazing journey, it has subsequently been used in several important events: such as flying over the bicentennial celebration of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia in 1987, and it was displayed during the Salt Lake Winter Olympic Games in 2002.  Plus, it is the only flag to have been returned to be reflown over the U.S. Capitol.  It is also used in Eagle Court of Honors in the Colorado Springs area.  We are lucky to live close to it's home, and to have had this be part of this special evening.  What a neat story to hear!

We are bursting with pride for you, Zac!  Congratulations and great love to you, son!  We are blessed to be your parents and thank you for your great example.

Building the ramp.

Setting up the obstacles.

Zac's mode of transport to check on his obstacles.

Zac's obstacle!  The runners climbed up onto it and ran down the ramp.

Watch out for zombies!!

Dad didn't mind testing the obstacles before the race.

YES!!!!!!

And there it is.

Court of Honor night AT LAST!

Zac with the Challenger Flag.

With Grandpa and Grandma.

It's like a photo of the progression of Scouting.

Josh led the Flag Ceremony.

Brother Arturo Martinez, Zac's current Scoutmaster.

The Challenger Flag Presentation.

Brother Chris Wilkinson, Zac's Scoutmaster when he finished his Eagle Paperwork.

Zac with Brother Thor Cummings.

Pinning on the Eagle Award.

Receiving the Eagle Neckerchief and Slide.

Mother's Pin

Father's Pin

Mentor's Pin

Officially official.

My favorite picture from the night!

Zac and Nathan.

Most of the boys from the Eagle Scout canoe trip and their leaders.

Some of Zac's Scout/church buddies.

Grandma and Grandpa helping dish the cake.