THE SIX Eagle Scouts honored during a Court of Honor ceremony at Centre Congregational Church on July 15 were, from left, Michael Madden, Daniel Miller, Jacob MacPherson, Cole Trainor, Paul Wehle and Jared Alphen. (Dan Tomasello Photo)

 

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Scouts BSA Troop 48 honored six Eagle Scouts during a Court of Honor ceremony held at Centre Congregational Church on July 15.

Eagle Scouts Jared Alphen, Jacob MacPherson, Michael Madden, Daniel Miller, Cole Trainor and Paul Wehle were recognized for their service projects during the ceremony. Centre Congregational Church’s chapel was full of the six scouts’ families as well as local, state and Troop 48 officials.

Troop 48 Assistant Scoutmaster Gordon Forrest informed the Villager in an email that Alphen’s Eagle Scout service project involved making improvements to Centre Congregational Church, which is where Scouts BSA Troop 48 is headquartered.

“Jared’s team of volunteers performed a wide variety of maintenance and improvement projects for the church, including improvements to the Tower Day playground, renovation of the benches at the back of the church, rehabilitation of the antique window hardware in the chapel and general cleaning,” said Forrest. “Jared is a recent graduate of Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School, and will attend the University of Massachusetts at Lowell in the fall.”

Forrest explained that MacPherson’s Eagle Scout project involved conducting a tree survey for the town.

“Jacob’s Eagle Scout service project was a comprehensive survey of trees in the Lynnfield Common and surrounding areas, including identification, condition and GIS information,” said Forrest. “This data will be used by the town of Lynnfield to plan for future tree restoration and planting programs. Jacob will be a senior at Lynnfield High School this fall.”

Forrest said Madden worked with Lynnfield High School’s Athletic Department, the Conservation Commission and the DPW for his Eagle Scout project.

“Michael developed a new public access walking and jogging path in the town-owned Pine Hill Lot off Durham Drive,” said Forrest. “The trail provides an off-road training course for the high school cross-country teams as well as recreational opportunities in this previously unused town-owned land. Michael is a recent graduate of Lynnfield High School, and will attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in the fall.”

Forrest said Miller’s Eagle Scout service project involved fundraising, constructing and installing two new benches that are located in the front of Centre Congregational Church.

“These beautiful wooden benches are in front of the church today and are frequently used by people enjoying the town’s historic Common,” said Forrest. “Daniel is a 2020 graduate of Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School, and will be a sophomore at Plymouth State University this fall.”

Forrest noted that Trainor developed, funded and installed a new entryway sign and landscaping for St. Joseph’s Church in Lynn.

“Cole led a team that raised over $4,000 to develop the new church entrance,” said Forrest. “Cole is a recent graduate of Lynnfield High School, and will attend the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the fall.”

Forrest said Wehle made improvements to Partridge Island Trail for his Eagle Scout project.

“Paul worked with the town of Lynnfield Conservation Commission to plan and deliver improvements to the town’s Partridge Island Trail,” said Forrest. “A new trail gateway sign was created and installed, and trail maintenance was performed on this popular recreational path. Paul is a recent graduate of St. John’s Prep, and will attend the University of Rochester in the fall.”

BSA Troop 48 Scoutmaster Jim Squadrito said during the ceremony that it was an honor to recognize “six outstanding scouts.”

“We are very proud of them,” said Squadrito. “These scouts represent the very best that you would hope for in a scout, a child and a citizen. They are scholarly, athletic, devout, civic-minded and well mannered.”

Squadrito recalled that BSA Troop 48 has graduated 134 Eagle Scouts in its 68-year history.

“These six scouts are very special because they are part of a select few who have made it through the whole process,” said Squadrito. “They are part of a proud Eagle Scout tradition for Troop 48. In the last decade alone, we have honored 51 Eagle Scouts. The 134 Eagle Scouts who have graduated since Troop 48’s founding is a remarkable accomplishment. I know our scouts from today and yesterday, their families and their past and present leaders are all very proud. I am proud of each and everyone of them.”

House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) and state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) chief of staff Jon Thibault presented the six Eagle Scouts with a joint resolution from the State House of Representatives and State Senate.

“Instead of doing one from the House and one from the Senate, we decided to have the House and Senate cooperate, which is not done in Washington,” said Jones. “We did this jointly because we wanted to make this occasion special because we know these young men have had a tough year-and-a-half.”

Jones said the six Eagle Scouts were able to complete their projects through hard work, perseverance and the support that they received from their families, friends and Troop 48.

“We appreciate all of your efforts,” said Jones. “Each of these projects are great for the community. You are part of the reason why Lynnfield is such a special place.”

Select Board Chairman Dick Dalton also presented the Eagle Scouts with proclamations from the board.

“I know these projects took a lot of hard work and a lot of time went into them,” said Dalton. “You should all be very proud of what you accomplished. I would say to each of you to maintain the skills, the values and the self-confidence instilled in you by the Boy Scouts. These qualities will serve you well in your quest for greater service to your family and your community. From all of us in town, great job guys.”

Squadrito also noted that all six Eagle Scouts will be receiving citations from Gov. Charlie Baker, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

“Those are in the mail,” said Squadrito.

Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Paul Petkewich and Knights of Columbus Financial Secretary Ken Kasprzak also presented the Eagle Scouts certificates acknowledging their achievement and acts of service to the community.

“Your memories of scouting will last a lifetime,” said Kasprzak. “Treasure them forever. Becoming an Eagle Scout is something all of you should be very proud of.”

The six scouts’ parents also presented the Eagle Awards to their sons. Forrest also gave the Eagle Charge during the Court of Honor ceremony, where he urged the scouts to become positive role models for the community and country.

“Your conduct along the trail has been excellent,” said Forrest. “You have rededicated yourself to the principles of scouting, but one more thing is important: Your future. As an Eagle Scout, you become a guide to other scouts and become an example in your community. People will expect more of you. The torch you carry is not only yours, it is also ours.”

After the ceremony concluded, all six Eagle Scouts were given a thunderous round of applause.