by Jana Milbocker
3/30/2015

The highest award from the Boy Scouts of America, the rank of Eagle Scout, was bestowed upon four Holliston teens on Saturday, March 28, in a special ceremony at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Holliston.

Nathaniel Bagge, Wesley Foster, Daniel Hendrickson and Luke Milbocker of Troop 73 were awarded their Eagle Scout rank. To earn Scouting’s highest award, they had to complete 21 merit badges, serve in leadership positions within the Troop, and organize individual leadership service projects that would benefit their church, community or school. It is estimated that only two percent of Scouts nationwide attain Eagle rank.

Assistant Scout Master Brian Ogilvie was the Master of Ceremonies and welcomed everyone to the Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

Fire Chief Michael Cassidy gave both the Invocation and the Benediction.

Troop Committee Chair, Chris Flanagan, spoke about the origins and history of the Eagle Scout.

All four boys began Scouting at the age of 6—Nathaniel and Wesley in Holliston’s Cub Scout Pack 74, Daniel and Luke in Cub Scout Pack 47—and earned Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light. They joined Troop 73 in 2007, and served as Assistant Patrol Leaders. They all attended annual summer camp at Camp Squanto in Plymouth, participated in the Massachusetts Jamboree, and a high-adventure 50-mile canoe trip in Maine.

Scout Master Mike Tyman, below right, read the Scouting Code of Conduct, presented the Eagle Awards and led the four Eagle Scouts in the oath known as the Eagle Charge. Each scout presented an Eagle Mom's Pin and a Dad's Tie Tack to their parents.

Nathaniel is the son of Ruthanne and Mike Bagge of Holliston. Nathaniel’s service project included clearing the old overgrown trails on the island and rebuilding a bridge at Weston Pond to provide better pond access and enjoyment for Holliston residents.

Some of the wood was solicited from Bellingham Lumber and the Troop donated as well. Troop and parent involvement were crucial to the completion of this project. Nathaniel is a senior at Holliston High School and plans to study engineering in college.

Wesley is the son of Carol and Charles Foster of Holliston. Wesley coordinated the construction and installation of five map kiosks in Wenakeening Woods, a 104 acre preserve located between Highland and Summer streets open to the public with numerous walking trails.

The project was completed for the Town and The Upper Charles River Conservation Land Trust and included over 250 hours of work by 30 Scouts and parents. Wesley is a senior at Xaverian Brothers High School, and plans to study engineering in college.

Daniel is the son of Diane and Peter Hendrickson of Holliston. Dan worked with the Holliston Fire Department to mark the locations of 41 fire hydrants in the town so that they can be found when buried in the snow during the winter.

The location, direction and distance of the hydrants were marked on the closest telephone poles. Dan is a senior at Holliston High School, and plans to study science in college next fall.

Luke is the son of Jana and Michael Milbocker of Holliston. Luke's project was landscaping the side entrance of the High School, which is heavily used by students, staff and visitors.

With the help of Troop 73 scouts and parents, turf was removed and three new planting beds were created along the walkway and the building. The new beds were planted with evergreens and flowering shrubs. Luke solicited plant and material.

Anyone who was an Eagle Scout was asked to stand and be counted. A few have been Eagle Scouts since 1964.

Representative Carolyn Dykema presented commendations from the State House to all four scouts.

Guests and scouts were treated to a slide show of past adventures by the scouts.

The ceremony concluded with good food and great camaraderie.