Five Eagle Scouts honored by Congressman Ted Poe, community - Kingwood
Five Eagle Scouts honored by Congressman Ted Poe, community - Kingwood
By: Robin Allen
Published: Nov 21, 2009, 9:00am
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Marco Bergamini, Alex Cummock, Michael Guerrero, Kyle Nabors and Tyler Swensen received recognition of their Eagle Scout rank at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Nov. 14.
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The Nov. 14 event was planned by the young men, their parents, Eagle Scout Coordinator John Heimburger and Scoutmaster Joe Stewart. The program began with a flag ceremony, patriotic music and a call for the thirty plus Eagle Scouts in attendance to join the Eagle’s Nest.
"It was wonderful to see the pride of parents and leaders as they witnessed the young men receive their Eagle Scout awards,” said Heika DeHart, who sang “America the Beautiful at the event and the wife of one of the scouts’ leaders. “The ceremony was tremendous – Ted Poe gave an inspiring speech. It was great for the young men to be recognized in such a way for their outstanding achievement."
The program continued with words of gratitude from the new Eagle Scouts, an exchange of honorary pins between each Scout and his mother, and responses from each father. Gary Nabors, father of Eagle Scout Kyle Nabors, spoke on the importance of Scouting in the Church. “The principles of Scouting go hand in hand with the values of the Church’s Young Men’s program,” Nabors said. “This weaving of Scouting and the Young Men’s program of the Church came by the inspiration of the Lord and Church leaders.”
The program continued with a speech delivered by Congressman Ted Poe. Congressman Poe reminded all present that our country was founded on the principle of God First, Country Second. He said the Framers of the Constitution began with prayer – not the “short kind” – at every meeting. He said Congress begins, still to this day, with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance – God First, Country Second. He said above the seat occupied by the Speaker of the House, but often above the camera shot seen on TV, are the words “In God We Trust.” Just below these words flies an American Flag – God First, Country Second. Congressman Poe spoke of the statues of 23 great law givers lining the House Chamber and pointed out that the center statue, the only one with a full face view looking directly at the House Chamber, is Moses.
Congressman Poe then turned his thoughts to the contribution the young men could and should make to society. He urged them to avoid being critics . . . for critics do nothing but complain about those doing something. He also said that as a judge, he had more than 25,000 felons in his courtroom. Not one of these was an Eagle Scout. He said he imagines that the Eagle Scouts stay too busy to get into such trouble.
Following his speech, the Congressman presented a flag that had flown over the Capitol Building to each new Eagle Scout. Roused by the powerful speech, the 240-person congregation gave a standing ovation to the five Eagle Scouts and to Congressman Poe.
"One underlying message the 5-Star Eagle Court generated was directed at the younger young men present, the Cub Scouts,” said John Heimburger, the Eagle Scout Coordinator. “In our swiftly moving world, we wanted to start with the youth of our families and ensure the basics are taught and remembered. Scouting does that for the young boys. We're setting a precedent with a reward."
Closing remarks were made by Al Paulsen, President of the Kingwood Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Paulsen said he had been edified and uplifted by the program. He congratulated the five young men for their accomplishments. He urged the boys to seek and hold to truths throughout their lives.
“I knew these young men were unique and talented, but didn't know the extent of that talent until one of the new Eagles, Tyler Swensen, came to our home after the Court of Honor and honored us with a unique ‘thank you,’” Heimburger said. “He actually sang a complete and beautiful baritone rendition of a Felix Mendelssohn score to us -- in German.”
The official young mens' program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is The Boy Scouts of America, with more than 400,000 young men enrolled.
Dinner and dessert, compliments of Chick-Fil-A, Blue Bell and Kroger, followed the program.
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