Newly Inducted Eagle Scouts (from left): Eric Lyttek, Michael Marriott and Benjamin Washechek with their parents. Photo by Andrew Madigan
In 2007, a new Boy Scout troop was formed at the Springfield Church of Christ. Every scout in Troop 2215 was home-schooled.
On Saturday, Oct. 6, three of the troop’s founding members—Erik Lyttek, Michael Marriott and Benjamin Washechek—were recognized in a Court of Honor. All three boys had earned the grade of Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank in scouting. As Master of Ceremonies Hunter Stauffer explained, this is a significant achievement because only 3 percent of scouts reach this plateau.
After a brief welcome and a presentation of flags by the color guard, General George Washington walked down the aisle, took the stage, knelt down and offered an invocation. Some say it was just a man dressed up in 18th-century garb, but others claimed they could see his wooden teeth.
The Court of Honor was an event characterized by pride, solemnity and joy. The audience, which numbered over 100, was treated to a summary of the boys’ achievements, most notably their Eagle projects. Benjamin completed a water quality impact assessment and helped prevent the erosion of stream banks at Huntsman Lake. Michael built a 30-foot nature trail bridge at Sovereign Grace Church. Erik reconstructed a gravel parking area at Springfield Church of Christ; he paved it with a permanent surface, created two handicapped spots and transformed the space into a more functional parking lot.
The honorees’ parents were called to the stage to present the boys with the prestigious Eagle Medals. The boys, in turn, presented their parents with gifts (flowers for the mothers, Eagle Scout pens and tie tacks for the fathers). Virginia Delegate Dave Albo was the evening’s special guest. He awarded each of the new Eagle Scouts a flag that had been flown over the state capitol.
The evening ended with a benediction, the retirement of the color guard, and a celebration dinner. Troop 2215 has grown considerably and changed in the five years since its founding. Today, not all of the scouts are home-schooled. However, each one of them shares in the admiration felt for the new Eagle inductees.