On Sunday afternoon, August 27, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood, Troop 97 held a Court of Honor to recognize five of its members who, in the past few months, have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. The Homewood based troop welcomed James Gunter, Matt Howell, Sam Kyle, Liam Melville and Camp Wilhelm into the “Eagles Nest”. These newest Eagle Scouts will join 230 previously inducted Troop 97 honorees into Scouting’s highest rank.
Robert Sturdivant, Minister of Students at Trinity United Methodist Church, gave the invocation followed by Speakers for each of the honorees: Tim Gunter, United States Navy for James Gunter. Katy Anderson, Cytogenetics Lab Manager UAB and Vulcan District Training Chair for Matt Howell. Dominic Luke, United States Air Force Pararescueman for Sam Kyle. Joey Plaia, Drama Director at John Carroll Catholic High School for Liam Melville. Jim Averett, Vice President Retired, Southern Company for Camp Wilhelm. The Wesley Chapel at TUMC, the venue for the ceremony, was attended by many family and friends of the newly minted Eagle Scouts as well as a contingent of Troop 97 Scouts assisting in the ceremony.
For his Eagle project, James Gunter raised funds to build five picnic tables for Patriot Park in Homewood. James had a fleur-de-lis brand created and used it to brand each of the tables. The tables were built, stained and delivered to the Park and are used by the Hall Kent Elementary School students when using the park for outdoor studies.
Matt Howell’s Eagle project was to build a Fire Pit and benches for Glenwood Autism & Behavioral Health Center, a vocational and residential housing for children and adults with autism.
Sam Kyle had the opportunity to make improvements to the Holy Rosary Catholic Church located in Gate City for his Eagle project. Sam installed a fifty-foot French drain to improve a drainage issue. In addition, he built a Little Free Library designed to look like the church and installed a proper Sacrarium drain for the Church.
Liam Melville’s review board showed great interest in his Eagle Project and was very impressed with the Chimney Swift tower he built at the Homewood Community Garden.
Camp Wilhelm’s Eagle project was to build and layout 19 trail makers for a 4.75-mile running trail at Red Mountain Park. Each trail maker is a 4×6 post with a metal plate with the Red Mountain logo.
Photo L-R: James Gunter, Matt Howell, Liam Melville, Sam Kyle, Camp Wilhelm