VERO BEACH — Boy Scouts Jack Moore and Patrick Brennan were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout during a joint Eagle Court of Honor ceremony on Jan. 9 in front of a standing room only crowd at the Heritage Center in Vero Beach.
Both Scouts are members of Vero Beach Troop 503, one of the oldest Scouting organizations in Indian River County. Patrick and Jack forged a lifelong friendship together through Scouting, meeting the many stringent requirements to achieve Eagle status over the course of seven years.
Both young men joined Boy Scouting when they were 11 years old and advanced through the ranks of Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star and Life before completing the Eagle requirements.
The Eagle rank represents the pinnacle of a Scout’s career. To earn the rank, a Scout must demonstrate skills, leadership and maturity.
One of the more challenging and final requirements is to successfully plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to the community.
Patrick’s project took place at the Abilities Resource Center in Vero Beach. ARC provides support and services to persons with disabilities.
Together with Scout Troop 503, parents and volunteers, Patrick cleaned and painted the administration building enabling the ARC to utilize the funds that were freed up to further help the needs of its clients.
Jack took his efforts to Fellsmere’s Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Mission and Church. The parish campus plays host to several activities and events in addition to its church, including sports on their adjacent fields, which sorely lacked seating or shade.
Moore raised the money and in-kind donations, coordinated the contractors and construction and together with Troop 503, friends and family provided a pavilion that will allows families to have picnics, fans to watch games and the community to enjoy much needed shade.
Patrick and Jack beat the odds. Only 2 percent of young men who start their journey in Scouting attain the rank of Eagle.