PARSIPPANY — The Boys Scouts of America Troop 72 held an Eagle Court of Honor for Thomas Goetschkes and Neil “Crin” Uricoli on Saturday, July 8 at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center.
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.
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 5% of the Boy Scouts actually earn this rank.
Their eldest brother, Andrew earned Eagle Scout on February 16, 2015 and this will be the 11th set of brothers, and third set of three brothers from Troop 72 achieving the Rank of Eagle Scout. (Click here to read Andrew’s achievement)
James Kelly, as Troop 72 Advancement Committee Chairman, certified to the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America that Thomas Brennan Goetschkes and Neil “Crin” Uricoli met the requirements for the rank of Eagle.
Thomas earned 26 merit badges, Thirteen of these are required merit badges to earn Eagle. The required ones are Camping, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Cooking, Lifesaving, Environmental Science, Family Life, First Aid, Personal Management, Personal Fitness and Swimming.
But Thomas didn’t stop there. He earned an additional thirteen badges. They are Chess, Climbing, Fingerprinting, Fishing, Home Repairs, Indian Lore, Leatherwork, Railroading, Reptile & Amphibian Study, Salesmanship, Scholarship, Small Boat Sailing and Woodwork.
As part of the requirements for earning Eagle, Thomas had to serve actively in a troop position for a period of six months after becoming Life Scout: Thomas was an Assistant Patrol Leader, and a Cub Scout Den Chief for Pack 215 in Lake Hiawatha. He is also a member of the “Order of the Arrow” with “Brotherhood” status.
He had to plan, develop and carry out a service project worthy of an Eagle Scout. Thomas mapped out and measured the trails of Veterans Park, for his Eagle project. He and his team of volunteer helpers also built a wooden kiosk containing a color-coded map of the trails and a Community Message Board. The distances of each color-coded trail can be found in the map key.
Neil earned 28 merit badges, Thirteen of these are required merit badges to earn Eagle. The required ones are Camping, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Cooking, Lifesaving, Environmental Science, Family Life, First Aid, Personal Management, Personal Fitness and Swimming.
But Neil didn’t stop there. He earned an additional fifteen badges. They are Archery, Art, Chess, Environmental Science, Finger Printing, Fishing, Indian Lore, Leatherwork, Metalwork, Pottery, Railroading, Rifle Shooting, Small Boat Sailing, Space Exploration and Wood Carving.
Crin had to serve actively in a troop position for a period of six months after becoming Life Scout. Crin served as a Patrol Leader and an Assistant Patrol Leader. Crin also completed the National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT).
Crin also had to plan, develop and carry out a service project worthy of an Eagle Scout. Crin refurbished and beautified the Morris Catholic High School Veterans Memorial site, for his Eagle project. He and his team of volunteer helpers removed old stone, flora that was overgrown, and benches that were discolored and in a state of disrepair. The Alter and Headstone that are on-site were power-washed sparkling clean. New park benches were installed. All new flora was planted as well. Crin would like to thank all the people who came out and helped him remove and replace stone, weed, plant flowers, clean and assemble benches.
