Thunderbird District
Inland Northwest Council
Boy Scouts of America

Sample Eagle Scout Ceremony # 3
the Light of the Eagle
(alternate wording)

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SETTING: The Eagle Court of honor follows a regular troop court of honor, so the flags are in place, and the mood has been set. The participants may be seated at a table in the front of the room, or they may "pop up" from the audience at their particular point in the program.

MC: The presentation of the Eagle Award is an important and serious matter. For the Eagle candidate before us tonight, this is a climax of his scouting efforts for several years. Let me point out that the attainment of this award is made possible through the assistance of those with the candidate tonight - his Scoutmaster, Troop leaders, fellow Scouts, parents, family, friends, and members of the community. This is an occasion for pride and joy as well as a time for serious reflections. The Eagle is the highest progress award that scouting offers to Scouts. It is earned through the advancement program. The bearer of the Eagle Award is the embodiment of scouting's best efforts and beliefs. He has distinguished himself through his continued performance of active service in Scouting. He is trained and practiced in his leadership abilities. And he is marked by the character gained through an understanding of his citizenship and religious beliefs. It is important that each of us understand the meaning of the Eagle Badge.

VOICE OF THE EAGLE: (an old timer Eagle) The appeal of the majestic Eagle has been felt by every great people from prehistoric times to the present day. To the Egyptians, the Eagle was the messenger to the gods and the sun, a symbol of eternal life. To the Romans, he was the carrier of Jupiter's thunderbolts and a sign of power. To the Indians, he stood as the incentive to valor and the pledge of victory. For us today, the Eagle is a living symbol of all courageous and freedom aspiring Americans. When the Eagle badge was initially designed in 1912, it was decided to suspend a small silver eagle from a tricolor ribbon of red, white, and blue. So it has remained until today.

(Light the Eagle on the light box.)

The foremost responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to live with honor. To an Eagle Scout, honor is the foundation of all character. He knows that "A Scout is Trustworthy" is the very first point of the Scout Law for a good reason. An Eagle Scout lives honorably not only because of the infinite importance of doing so to himself, but because of the vital significance of the example he sets for other scouts. Living honorably reflects credit upon his home, his troop, his church, and his community.

(Light the white portion of the ribbon on the light box.)

May the white of the Eagle Badge remind you always to live with honor.

The second obligation of the Eagle Scout is loyalty. A Scout is true to his family, scout leaders, school, and nation. His loyalty to his troop and brother Scouts makes him pitch in and carry his share of the load. All of these help to build the loyalty which means devotion to community, to country, to one's ideals, and to God.

(Light the blue portion of the ribbon on the light box.)

May the blue of the Eagle Badge always inspire your loyalty.

The third obligation of an Eagle Scout is to be courageous. Courage has always been a quality by which men measure themselves and others. To a scout, bravery means not only the courage to face physical danger, but the determination to stand up for the right. Trusting in God with faith in his fellow man, he looks forward to each day, seeking his share of the world's work to do.

(Light the red portion of the ribbon on the light box.)

May the red of the Eagle Badge always remind you of courage.

The fourth obligation of an Eagle Scout is to be cheerful, to remind the Eagle Scout to always wear a smile. The red, white and blue ribbon is attached to the scroll of the second class Scout Award, which has its ends turned up in a smile.

(Light the scroll on the light box.)

The final obligation of an Eagle Scout is service. The Eagle extends a helping hand to those who still toil up Scouting's trail, just as others helped him in his climb to the Eagle. The performance of the daily good turn takes on a new meaning when he enters a more adult life of continuing service to others. The Eagle stands as the protector of the weak and helpless. He aids and comforts the unfortunate and the oppressed. He upholds the rights of others while defending his own. He will always be prepared to put forth his best.

MC: You are deserving of much credit to having achieved Scouting's highest award. But wear your award with humility, ever mindful that the Eagle Scout is looked up to as an example. May the Scout Oath and the Scout Law be your guide for tomorrow and onward.

(At this point, the parents of the Eagle would be escorted to the Candidate's side, and the normal sequence of events would follow.)

This page last updated: March 7, 2006