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Michael Atterbury achieves Eagle Scout rank
By Jean Seegers
REPORTER
The Eagle Scout rank is the highest advancement award in Boy Scouting. In 2012, 57,976 scouts earned the Eagle Scout rank worldwide. Six of those scouts were from Roscoe Boy Scout Troop 620 in Roscoe.
Since 1994, Troop 620 has produced 49 Eagle Scouts. The path to attaining the prestigious award is long and at times difficult. Michael A. Atterburyis the most recent scout to earn the honorable distinction this year.
An award ceremony bestowing the rank of Eagle Scout on the Hononegah High School senior was held at Porter Park, Sunday, Aug.14. Troop 620 Scoutmaster Mark LaMonica said only about 2 percent of Boy Scouts complete the requirements in achieving the status of Eagle Scout.
“Each candidate must earn 21 merit badges and successfully complete a community, church, synagogue-related service project to earn his Eagle.”
According to LaMonica, Michael has held the positions of Assistant Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and Junior Assistant Scout Master. He currently serves as Venture Crew 619 and National Youth Leadership Staff as an SPL.
Atterbury is also a member of the Rockford Police Explorers Program. He will be working toward the Boy Scout Wood badge through the local Glacier’s Edge Council. The Badge is the Boy Scout’s premier training course to achieve advanced adult leadership skills.
The process of choosing and completing an Eagle Scout project involves making contacts, getting information, completing a plan and presenting it to the committee in order to go forward.
For his project, Atterbury decided to build a Hunters Lodge at Macktown Living History Center in Rockton. He began the process about three years ago. Local Attorney Ray Ferguson donated 25 Black Locust trees from his private property. With the help of volunteer loggers, Atterbury cut down and debarked the trees.The actual building of the lodge will be the project of an upcoming Eagle Scout candidate.
The ceremony began with the Presentation of Colors by Rockford Police Explorers. A slide show chronicled the young man’s career from Tiger Scout to Eagle Scout.
Scout Leader John Shockley talked about the comradery among Eagle Scouts around that world that will follow them into the future. Speaking to Atterbury and scouts in the audience, Shockley said, “You have a responsibility to guide other scouts through your example.”
Atterbury’s mother and fatherplaced the Eagle Scout scarf around his neck, and pinned the Eagle Scout badge on their son’s uniform. He in turn, gave each parent a miniature version of the badge.
Greg Jones, representing the FBI read a certificate on behalf of FBI Director James Comey, and a message from President and Mrs. Obama.
Representatives from the Marine Corp presented a symbolic K-Bar knife to Atterbury.
In a final presentation, Michael Atterbury Sr. unveiled a mounted rifle as a gift to his son.
The newest member of the elite Eagle Scout Troop will be graduating from Hononegah High School in 2017. His future plans are to join the Marine Corp and eventually become a teacher.
