What does achiveing Eagle mean to you

I knew this topic is 4 months old but I just HAD to respond. I was 17 when I earned my eagle (Eagle Class of '96 Baby!) but it was hand's down the single proudest achievement of my life. There's a bit of a story behind that and, well, since y'all are likely as bored as I am I'll go ahead and tell the Reader's Digest version of it ;) See I was born with bilateral club foot. When I was born the doctor's told my parents I would never walk. Shriner's hospital (bless those people) gave me a shot and my first surgery was at 2 months old. I'd had several surgeries already and at age 6 I came home and BEGGED my parents to let me go into Cub Scouts with my friend from school. My mother talked to one doctor (the family doc) and he told her not to let me go into Scouts, that as a handicapped I would never get anywhere with scouts and would just be dissapointed. I threw a hissy fit of extreme proportions and she called Shriner's (I was in a cast at that point and was threatening to break the cast in half) and they told her to let me try, that the worst that could happen was that I'd get bored and dropped out. Well, it was a LONG 11 years... and I went through hell more often than not. I had some awesome experiences and some severe learnings lessons but in the end I earned my Eagle. AND I earned it without ONE SINGLE alternative requirement. That, I admit, I was VERY proud of! The most awesome part? I found out the day I got my Eagle that our old family doctor was still practicing medicine. So I got a copy of my award and framed it, took it to his office, walked past his secretary and into his office, slammed it on his desk and said "Tell one more disabled child they will never make it, a**hole." And walked out. I still grin HUGE every time I remember. So what has obtaining Eagle done for me? Almost every boss I've had has said that the reason I was hired over anybody else was because I was an Eagle Scout. Not only that, but it encouraged me to stay in Scouting and help other young Scouts work the path to Eagle. I have been in Scouting 22 consecutive years now, and I am only 28 years old. Not many 28 year old Assistant Cubmaster and/or Assistant Scoutmasters at that age can where a 20 year pin ;) Also, I decided a few years ago that I wanted to go into Professional Scouting and am just starting to work on my degree for that! Oh! And my project? Yea it's been an ongoing annual project for me via different Scout units for almost 10 years now. Last time I did the math over 50,000 books have been donated to various organizations with the spirit of my Eagle Project (did a book drive for hospitals in the area.) I think it would be awesome to see it turned into a "Scouting for Words" like "Scouting for Food" is now. Did you know that Scouting for Food was originally an Eagle Scout Project by a Scout here in the St Louis area? Holy cow! I talk WAY too much about Scouts! Sorry for the long post!

I wanted to be an eagle with the thought that makes a difference in your life. It did that simply even until this very day. Everyday you are filled with an accomplish that most people you come across will never achieve. Eagle Scout is a group in its own that offers friends you never had and a place in society that most will never have. Simply meeting a person, and learning they are an Eagle Scout simply creates a great connection allowing a relation between eachother. The time and enjoyment scouting gave will never experience anywhere else. A person can learn about surviving with the bare minimum and teaching those younger than you what scoutings all about. Giving to society in the end will give back to you through jobs you will one day apply for or the college you applied to.

for me it is not too much.

achieving success

Achieving the Eagle Scout was one of the greatest accomplishments in my life. My grandfather, uncle, father were all scouts and they never were able to achieve Eagle. So to be able to achieve was an even greater experience for as I not only got it for myself, but also for my dad, uncle, and grandfather. It looks great on a resume and its something is easily noticable on it. When I look back (I'm a senior in college now) at scouts I've realized that the things I learned in scouts I still use today, and I even teach somethings to my friends in college. I'm in a fraterntiy and one of our focuses is on philanthropy and each member has to do a 30 man hour service project. That was a walk in the park compared to my Eagle Scout project. The award has great meaning. Although when I gradute from college with 2 majors and 1 minor I will consider than my greatest accomplishment, for right now, achieving the Eagle scout is my greatest accomlishment.

Being and Eagle scout is an amazing accomplishment for a young man. I received mine when I was 12. At the time I was the second youngest Eagle in our council. One kid beat me by a week. It was a lot of work, but most people don't realize that. it's kind of overlooked these days, which is too bad. maybe someday people will realize that it is a good mark of your character and capabilities. Did you know that Steven Spielburg was an Eagle Scout..That is one of the reason Indianna Jones was in the Boy Scouts in Last Crusade. Steven Spielburg also dedicatedthe cinematography merit badge at a press conference at the National Jamboree I attended. It was very nice to meet him.