Bonham, Texas -- Sunday, December 18, 2022, three young men from BSA Troop 52 were promoted to the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America: Derek Gove, Wyatt Lacy, and Matt Floyd. The momentous ceremony was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Bonham, the longtime cornerstone and supportive backing for both Cub Scout Pack 54 and Boy Scout Troop 52.

The ceremony began with patriotic piano pieces played by Corey Pennycuff of Wichita Falls, Texas, a relative of Matt Floyd and Wyatt Lacy. The colors were presented by Cub Scout Pack 54 of Bonham.  The opening Welcome was extended by Scoutmaster Sean Floyd of Bonham, also a Troop 52 Eagle Scout and retired Navy serviceman. Reverend Dana Coker of the First United Methodist church of Bonham and scouting mom offered prayers over the special services. Will and Worth Lacy, also Troop 52 Eagle Scouts, took turns reading scripture from the Bible and reciting the Boy Scout Oath and Law.

The powerful Keynote address was given by BSA Circle Ten Executive and Eagle Scout David Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton has been associated with the scouting program for over 50 years and has been awarded the Silver Beaver, an award bestowed upon adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council.

Hamilton’s address included the fascinating history of NASA’s first trip to the Moon as well as a memorable “selfie” session. Most people know that the first two people to ever walk on the Moon, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, were both Boy Scouts. Remember the phrase when Apollo 11 finally landed after a long, nail-biting stretch of time on the dark side of the Moon with no radio communication those famous words were heard,” The Eagle Has Landed”? Hamilton explained the deeper and more significant meaning behind the purpose of the phrase. The Eagle landing pod had just previously detached from Apollo 11 and pilot Michael Collins announced, “The Eagle has wings.” Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin then had to blindly guide the vessel to the surface of the Moon, avoiding rocky and unstable outcroppings of the Moon’s valleys and instead landing in the Moon’s Sea of Tranquility. Once this feat was accomplished, Armstrong announced, “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” On the other end of the receiver, Charlie Duke back at NASA Mission Control heaved a heavy sigh of relief and said, “Roger, Tranquility, we copy you on the ground. You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot!" That famous conversation from the Moon to the earth was from an Eagle Scout, Armstrong, to another Eagle Scout, Duke. Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon and Duke went on to be the tenth and youngest astronaut to walk on the Moon. David Hamilton then went on to explain that once you are an Eagle Scout, you are always Eagle Scout and that people expect more from the three of you.

Derek, Wyatt, and Matt began in Cub Scout Pack 54 of Bonham, Texas first receiving their Arrow of Light when completing the Cub Scout program and then “crossing over” into the Boy Scout program. All three have performed countless hours of conservation and civic service hours for the betterment of their community and the North Texas and Southeast Oklahoma area.

Each one worked for and received more than the 21 required merit badges mandated to receive the rank of Eagle. All of these young men traversed the five preceding ranks and served as leaders in their troop and community to achieve this high honor. Only around six percent are able to earn this coveted achievement which has to be accomplished before an individual is 18 years of age. In addition, all three scouts were nominated by their scouting peers and leaders to be inducted into the Boy Scout Honor Society, the Order of the Arrow. This has additional significant requirements over and above in the areas of conservation, community, and organizational service.

Other important aspects of the ceremony included presentations of Flags flown over the United States Capitol Building by Honorable Representative, Pat Fallon, as well as a special presentation of limited edition Eagle Statues and certificates of achievement by the Edmond Terrill Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Recognitions of achievement were also extended to the scouts from the Office of the President of the United States, President Joe Biden and First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden as well as local state representative, Reggie Smith. The scouts then presented their parents special pins in recognition of all the support they had been given over this long, hard earned journey.

The ceremony was concluded in prayer and was followed by a reception at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall to thank all those that had taken part and supported these three very special young men. The futures for these Eagle Scouts, Derek Gove, Wyatt Lacy, and Matt Floyd, look very bright, indeed!