PARSIPPANY — An Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held on Saturday, January 7 at St. Christopher’s Church for Daniel Vincent Metcalf for achieving the highest rank by the Boy Scouts of America, that of Eagle Scout.
The pathway to Eagle can be described as a steep trail leading up to three peaks, the highest being that of Eagle Scout. Officially, the trail starts with the Tenderfoot rank and continues through Second and First Class ranks. Then, the mountain climbing begins. The path is marked with merit badges, leadership responsibilities, service projects, and the practice of Scouting skills and ideals. The first peak reached is that of Star Scout, the second is Life Scout, and, finally, Eagle Scout.
Pat Foley recited the Eagle Charge:
The Honor, Loyalty, Courage Charge
YOU ARE CHARGED TO BE HONORABLE. Honor is sacred and is the foundation of all character. To show honor you must be trustworthy, the very first point of the Scout Law and for good reason. From this day forward you will be held to a higher code of honor and ethics than most your peers. Honor is truly the measure of a man. Honor is represented by the white of the Eagle badge,
YOU ARE CHARGED TO BE LOYAL, to family, self, Scouting, friends, community and nation. Be also loyal to the ideals of Scouting. The blue of your new rank is to inspire Loyalty.
YOU ARE CHARGED TO BE COURAGEOUS. Courage gives all character force and strength. Have the courage to stand up for what is right and the ideals of scouting. Face each day unafraid and seek your share of the world’s work to do. Let the red on your badge remind you always to have courage.
Danny began his Scouting experience in Cub Scout Pack 175 where he earned the Arrow of Light award; he also earned the Light of Christ award from his church. He joined Troop 173 in fifth grade and quickly advanced through the first few ranks with the help of his patrol leader, Michael Ludwig and Scoutmaster, Ken Galley.
The Eagle Scout Award is Scouting’s highest rank and among its most familiar icons. Men who have earned it count it among their most treasured possessions. Those who missed it by a whisker remember exactly which requirement they didn’t complete. Americans from all walks of life know that being an Eagle Scout is a great honor. The award is more than a badge. It’s a state of being. The Eagle Scout may have received the badge as a boy, but you earn it every day as a man. In the words of the Eagle Scout Promise, they do your best each day to make their training and example, their rank and their influence count strongly for better Scouting and for better citizenship in the troop, in their community, and in their contacts with other people. And to this they pledge their sacred honor.
Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million young men. Only 4% of the Boy Scouts actually earn this rank.
Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges, although Daniel earned 29 merit badges, and demonstrating Scout Spirit through the Boy Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Eagle Scouts are presented with a medal and a badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout.
He became active in other activities in and out of Scouting, such as coordinating Vacation Bible School at Saint Christopher’s Church, playing travel baseball and CYO basketball. Once he earned First Class rank, he became a patrol leader. Being a patrol leader helped Dan to grow as a person and as a leader over the next two years; which included his completion of National Youth Leadership Training.
At age fourteen he became the Troop’s Senior Patrol Leader where he learned about planning, leading others and it also improved his communication skills. He has also served as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Den Chief (Pack 142) and Historian. He was elected by his fellow Scouts as an Ordeal member of the Order of Arrow. Also at age 14, Dan became a Counselor in Training at Winnebago Scout Reservation, working there for two summers in the Dan Beard Program area which was set up to introduce new Scouts to many outdoor skills. Dan earned the BSA National Outdoor Award for Camping having spent over 140 days and nights camping during his Scouting career.
For his Eagle Project, Danny upgraded the 9/11 Memorial at St. Christopher Church, which included the installation of lighting and a flagpole. Unfortunately his Eagle Project Coach and Mentor Ken Galley passed away while Danny was in the process of completing his Eagle Rank, but he knows that Ken would have insisted that he complete his Eagle and he did so with the encouragement of the Galley family, the Troop, other friends, and family. Danny graduated from Seton Hall Prep High School in West Orange (SHP) where he ran cross country for two years, was a member of the Wounded Warriors’ Club and Knights of Setonia Club.
He was manager for the baseball team in 2016 when they won a state championship. He participated in a Kairos retreat in both junior and senior years. During Dan’s junior year, a close friend passed away from brain cancer at the age of twelve. After her passing he became involved in promoting cancer awareness. As the leader of the Pirates Against Cancer Club at SHP, he organized two “Buzz Offs” with the help of an advisor, in which students and faculty would shave their heads for cancer awareness and raised over $3500 each time to help with cancer treatment. Dan has completed his first semester at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, majoring in Counseling and Human Services. Because of his passion to help people who have cancer, he’d like to be a Child Life specialist after college; planning also to give back to the community by staying active in his church community and in Scouting.
Daniel earned 29 Merit Badges: Art, Camping, Canoeing, Citizenship In the Community, Citizenship In the Nation, Citizenship In the World, Collections, Communication, Cooking, Disability Awareness, *Environmental Science,Family Life, Fingerprinting, First Aid, Geocaching, Kayaking, *Leatherwork Lifesaving, Mammal Study, *Personal Fitness, *Personal Management, Public Speaking, Rifle Shooting, Small Boat Sailing, Space Exploration, Sports,Swimming, Wilderness Survival and Wood Carving. (*Eagle Requirement)
Scouting makes a direct and positive impact on your community by teaching positive values and leadership skills to your son. With over 50 Scouts, they are a very active and fun filled troop. Troop 173 offers a wide range of activities and learning experiences for your child that focus on their continued growth as they progress through the program. They strive to incorporate education, character building, growth, teamwork, and primarily FUN for our Scouts. They are a “Family Friendly” troop that encourages Moms or Dads to attend our meetings, special events, and camping trips so that everyone can experience the fun, together.
Troop 173 was chartered by the Sedgefield Civic Association in 1957. Yet from its beginning, Troop 173 has included boys from all over Morris County in its programs. While most of our members come from the area of Parsippany from Lake Parsippany to Powder Mill, we have had members as far away as Succasunna and Randolph.
Troop 173 consists of boys primarily from Parsippany. Due to the strength as a Troop and their family centered focus, they also draw from other nearby towns as well.
For more information on Troop 173, click here.
