By Paula Roberts
A Court of Honor was held on Sunday at the Bunker Hill Church for Troop 213 Eagle Scouts John Braley, Lucas Kostenbader, and Tommy Kostenbader. (Paula Roberts photo) |
Boy Scout Troop 213 held a triple Eagle Scout ceremony on Jun 8 at the Bunker Hill Church in Jefferson. Receiving
Scouting’s highest honor were John Braley, of Damariscotta, and brothers Tom and Lucas Kostenbader, of
Newcastle.
Troop 213 presented the colors, and recited the Scout Law and Oath.
Scoutmaster Chris Roberts spoke about each young man, recalling some of their Scouting adventures. Roberts used an
analogy of two pieces of wood, one straight-grained and beautiful, the other gnarled and knotty. Like the two
pieces of wood, boys are influenced by their environment.
“These two boards started out as seedlings in the forest. They grew tall and strong until they were mature and
ready to be harvested and then sawed out. The same effort was given to both boards, but one came out better. One
came out pure and beautiful, while the other was full of knots, rot and gnarled. Like the wood, influenced by its
environment, the same thing can be said for young boys.
“These three young men, Tommy, Lucas and Johnny, like the straight grain of the wood, grew tall and strong with
the time spent with their families, schooling, friends, and Scouting. All have influenced their maturity, but the
greatest influence was the person inside them, making mature decisions along their life’s path,” Roberts said.
Roberts spoke of each man’s leadership role within the Troop, especially in their organizational and leadership
skills on camping trips.
Tom Kostenbader earned his Eagle badge in 2009. His Eagle Scout service project was organizing a work party to do
trail work on the Damariscotta River Association’s Marsh River Bog Preserve in Newcastle.
Lucas Kostenbader’s Eagle Scout project was organizing and building a lean-to and composting toilet on the
Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association’s West Branch Preserve in Somerville.
John Braley worked with the Great Salt Bay Sanitary District to build a 110-foot wooden walkway to Little Pond in
Damariscotta. The building of the bridge helped protect a spring and prevent contamination of the water supply.
Jake Braley, John’s older brother, himself an Eagle Scout, gave the Eagle charge. He charged the three young men
to be honorable, loyal, courageous, and to be a servant.
“Service is not an obligation, but is an honor,” Jake Braley said. “Be prepared. Put forth your best effort in
everything you do.”
Each Eagle presented his parents with Eagle pins. All three Eagle Scouts presented mentoring pins to Roberts.
Sen. Chris Johnson then presented John Braley with a Legislative Sentiment. Rep. Mick Devin congratulated Tom and
Lucas Kostenbader, and will present a Legislative Sentiment to them later this week.
District leader Sue Kennedy spoke to the three Eagles, saying all three sneaked under the wire, finishing their
projects just ahead of their 18th birthdays, the deadline for completion. She urged fellow Scouts to be more
prompt about finishing their projects.
Roberts then presented each Eagle Scout with a framed Jake Day print of forest animals on a hiking trip carrying
a Troop 213 banner.
A reception for the Eagle Scouts was held at the Roberts’ camp on Damariscotta Lake following the ceremony.
