I had been composing a column about April 19 in the “olden days” when I saw the “above-the-fold” column about Eagle Scout Leah Greenberg. It prompted me to reminisce and join others in congratulating Leah on her achievement.
As an active Boy Scout in my youth, I am aware of the magnitude of Eagle Scout status. I dropped out of Boy Scouts when my mind got distracted from memorizing Morse Code when I was in fifth or sixth grade. Before then we had an active troop, led by F. Davie Edes, a long time Concord attorney. As scouts, we worked hard to reach the next scouting levels. There were regular camping trips to “Codding’s Cabin” at the base of Fairhaven Hill. We participated in camping jamborees, and camped and hiked on mountains, learning the correct step procedures to ascend and descend inclines. We also prepared to march in the April 19 Day parade.
In anticipation of the parade, Mr. Edes had us working on staying in formation, keeping step with our troop, and, if we somehow fell out of step, getting back in step. Just the idea of falling out of step put the fear of Mr. Edes into our young heads. The result was a proud, well-oiled marching unit stepping off from Alcott School on our way down Stow St. to the Old North Bridge.
I was aware that my father, Bill Anderson, was the Concord’s first Eagle Scout. In those days, scouting was an important part of Concord’s social fabric – so important that the town held a “Bill Anderson Night” to honor him for that achievement.
In addition, one of my company’s first employees was Mike Wyatt. An Eagle Scout from Sudbury, Mike’s Eagle Scout project was to log every granite marker around Sudbury that had directions painted on it, interview a selectman/historian, and write an article for the local paper. He and other Eagle Scout candidates also worked on Heritage Park, near the intersection of Concord and Old Sudbury Roads. Every time I pass it, I am reminded of the many contributions Eagle Scouts make to society.
And, on the rare occasions when “Eagle Scout” shows up on a resume for employment in my company, it never fails to pique my interest.
Congratulations Leah and keep up the good work.
