naval lodge hosts capitol hill boy scouts
Naval Lodge Hosts Capitol Hill Boy Scouts
Photograph by Katharine I. Matthews ©2012
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MWB Crociata and WB Webb with the three Eagle Scouts
n Sunday June 10, 2012, Naval Lodge No. 4 hosted a “Court of Honor” ceremony to honor three young men who received the Eagle Scout award, the highest award available to youth members of the Boy Scouts of America. Most Worshipful Brother Joseph S. Crociata, Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia presented the Masonic “Award of Merit” to Andrew Arlotto and David Shultz-Heim of Troop 500 and Joshua Godec of Troop 380. This was an historic event since it was the first time the Eagle Court of Honor was held for both Boy Scout Troops on Capitol Hill.
Troop 500’s Scout Master, Tim Penney, says, “In Scouting, the eagle stands for strength of character, and for knowledge of all phases of Scouting. The eagle represents an understanding of community and nation, and a deep respect for same.” Additionally, the eagle is a “symbol of what a young man has done as well as what that young man will do, and will be, when he grows to manhood.” In short, Penney says, “the eagle is a leader – respected both by his peers and by his adult leaders.”
Webster describes an eagle as a large bird of prey with sharp vision and powerful wings, famous for their strength, size, grace, and keen vision. It is the national emblem for the United States. Though the eagle is found throughout the world, it is never found in abundance; it is always rare and it is always a superb specimen.
Lord Robert Baden-Powell of Great Britain started the Boy Scout movement in 1907 by working with just twenty boys. To keep track of the many useful facts he was teaching the boys he wrote notes. These developed into a book, entitled “Scouting for Boys” which was first published in 1908 as the Boy Scout Handbook. In the years that followed, approximately 150
Brief History of the Boy Scouts
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