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| Eagle Scout Lucas Cormier was promoted to scouting's highest rank during a Court of Honor ceremony held at the Windham Veterans Center on June 11. His father, Joe Cormier, and his mother, Nicki Cormier, celebrate with Lucas following the event. PHOTO BY COLLETTE HAYES |
Becoming an Eagle Scout is extremely rare and each year less than 8 percent of
all who begin the scouting journey achieve the rank, the highest that a Boy
Scout can achieve. Windham’s Lucas Cormier, a member of Boy Scout Troop 805, has
met the Eagle Scout challenge and joined the select few who have lifted their
wings to soar with the Eagles during a Court of Honor ceremony at the Windham
Veterans Center on June 11.
According to Paul Preston, the Master of Ceremony
at the Court of Honor event, the pathway to becoming an Eagle Scout can be
described as a steep trail leading up to three peaks, the highest peak being
Eagle Scout. Years of community service, 21 merit badges, troop leadership
experiences, and coordinating and leading a large-scale volunteer project for
the betterment of the community are a few of the necessary requirements to earn
the rank of Eagle Scout.
“Officially the trail begins with Tenderfoot rank and continues through to the
Second and First-class ranks and then the mountain climbing begins,” said
Preston. “The first peak reached is that of Star Scout, the second peak Life
Scout and the final peak Eagle Scout. “The path is marked with merit badges,
leadership responsibilities, service projects, and the practicing of scouting
skills and ideals.”
During the Court of Honor event honored guests, including State Representative
Mark Bryant and State Representative Patrick Corey, presented Cormier with a
Legislative Sentiment including a certificate signed by legislative members and
a coin symbolizing scouting excellence in skill development, personal growth
and for outstanding community service.
Cormier’s advice to scouts on the journey working toward the Eagle Scout rank is that even though the trail seems extremely difficult at times to keep going.
“It’s going to be hard,” said Cormier. “At times you are going to want to quit
but just stick with it. I met most of my best friends through scouting. Friends
will help you make it through the difficult times.”
Sensing a need for an outdoor gathering place for veterans at the Windham
Veteran’s Center, Cormier planned, organized, and led a massive Eagle Scout
service project for the center. Hours were spent on weekends digging out the
space, leveling and compacting the soil and preparing a solid base for the
relocation of the fireplaces as well as the placement of a new patio which is now
wheelchair accessible for veterans.
“Most of our scout meetings are held at the Veteran’s Center,” Cormier said.
“The patio was weathered down and everything was overgrown with weeds. I wanted
to clean it up for them.”
Parents are one of the keys to success for obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout
and the more that parents are involved, the more the scout is likely to stay
involved and continue to travel the difficult trail to advance in rank. Joe and
Nicki Cormier, Cormier’s parents, have been walking the scouting trail with him
for many years and say that anything Lucas is involved in, they are also involved
in, every step of the way.
“Lucas shares memorable scouting experiences over and over with us such as the
white-water rafting trips, he has participated in,” said Nicki Cormier. “For
the last 10 years, I have watched Lucas become a strong leader and good example
for the other scouts. We are very proud of Lucas.”
Kathy Patrick, Cormier’s aunt, provided the closing remarks for the Eagle Scout
Court of Honor ceremony.
“The Eagle Scout Court of Honor marks the ending of one journey and a
commitment to another. A commitment to better scouting where all may participate,
a commitment to better citizenship, and a commitment to be an example of
leadership to all. May we like Lucas be committed to scouting’s ideals which
instruct us to all lead better lives.” <
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