InfoAge
Science-History Learning Center wishes to recognize Dan Cummings of Troop 59 of the Wall Township
Thunderbird District of the
Monmouth Council
as
having achieved the rank of Eagle
Scout and being awarded this leadership award for his
exceptional contribution towards honoring WWII veterans and the
preservation of Camp Evans history.
 The fact that a boy is an
Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special significance, not only
in Scouting but also as he enters higher education, business or
industry, and community service. The award is a performance-based
achievement whose standards have been well-maintained over the years.
Not every boy who joins a Boy Scout troop earns the Eagle Scout rank;
only about 4 percent of all Boy Scouts do so. This represents more than
1 million Boy Scouts who have earned the rank since 1911. Nevertheless, the goals of
Scouting—citizenship training,  character development, and personal fitness—remain important for all Scouts,
whether or not they attain the Eagle Scout rank.
To
earn the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Boy Scout must
fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor
skills. Although many options are available to demonstrate proficiency
in these areas, a number of specific skills are required to advance
through the ranks—Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life,
and Eagle. To advance, a Boy Scout must pass specific tests that are
organized by requirements and merit badges.
Dan Cummings
has met and exceeded all that was required of him and more. To
scan his credentals in this heroic endeavor is to be truly impressed!
For those of us on the staff of InfoAge Science-History Learning
Center, Dan's
contribution towards making the
InfoAge site more
attractive has established a respectable looking
facility. One has only
to
look at what was there before and what you see now to truly
recognize the enormity of
this as an Eagle project. It is now a long lasting contribution to the
ever-increasing success of InfoAge.
Let's
get a little bit more specific here. Now although the requirements to
reach Eagle Scout rank are many, and all of great importance, those of
us here at InfoAge are especially appreciative of the many hours Dan
has put in towards improving the appearance of the InfoAge Marconi
Hotel
which was indeed a task of considerable magnitude! Of course, I'm
referring to Dan's project whose goal was
to restore an entrance to the basement of the hotel. This
entrance may have been used by many of the wireless and radio
develpment pioneers who worked at Camp Evans. As example, A. H.
Taylor related work he and Ernst Alexanderson did in the hotel basement.
Dan's project immensely improved the overall appearance of
the rear of the hotel and the site around it. Dan coordinated
over 172
hours of labor,
including 61 hours himself.
Dan
was helped by fellow troop members, InfoAge Members, friends, his Dad
and Granddad.
The work was difficult labor as the original entrance cover needed to
be completely replaced. The Wall Township
Kiwanis Club
provided funds for much of the materials
used by volunteers.
Dan's completion of this challenging
project has helped
to further the preservation
of the Camp Evans National Historic District. All should be aware that
Camp Evans has
been designated a Living Memorial to WWII. Students and families will soon be learning science and history
in the place where WWII science and history was made.
|
Boy
Scouts of America Troop 333 Court of Honor and Eagle Recognition
Ceremony for Dan Cummings was fulfilled on May 17, 2007 at
the Elks Lodge, Manasquan, NJ. A plethora of family, friends and
honored guests
had
come together in a distinguished ceremony to honor Dan for one of
the
outstanding moments of his life. |
|
Congratulations are
well due to this young man who made the extra effort to earn the Eagle
award. In this 61th year since the ending of WWII. Dan has exhibited exceptional
character and dedication to a difficult project that will
honor the service of WWII veterans. He has made his family, friends,
and community proud.
| PHOTO
TOUR |
Dan Cummings and friends completelty
renovated the rear Marconi Hotel cellar entrance of the Camp
Evans Historic District.
Note the
new screening and Dan putting the finishing touches on the new screen
door. The new screening prevents leaves from filling the
entrance and blocking the door.
Dan planned
and
managed the entire project. Dan, his Dad, troop members
and friends did all the labor.
Financial support was provided by the Wall Kiwanis Club |
View of the entrance before Dan
took its preservation on. Note no screen and no door.
What can not be seen is the deterioration of the roofing and the rot in
the wood.
|
|
Dan, friends and family go to work...
Jeff and Dan pose for a
photo.
All three generations of the Cummings men helped with the
project. Here Dan and his grandfather load equipment used
to complete the work.
|
|
THE
FINISHED PROJECT
Restored and improved entrance...
new structure...
new roofing...
new flashing...
new screens to keep leaves out...
new screen door...
nice work.
|
Although
heaping adulations are very much in order, it is time to move on and
view a timetable Dan's trek in much greater detail. Please follow along
the
Eagle
trail by choosing a topic from the selection table that follows:
TRAIL
TO EAGLE
|
Walk upon the
trail,
that links the
future with the past.
Take the Oath,
Live the Law.
The pathway to Eagle,
is steep and narrow.
Your journey will require,
skill and fortitude.
Your reward:
Knowledge and Understanding.
enough to base a lifetime on.
Your challenge is to:
Take the journey,
Join the few and
Soar with the Eagle.
|
TRAIL
THE EAGLE
|
Trail the Eagle,
Trail the Eagle,
Climbing all the time.
First the Star and then the Life,
Will on your bosom shine, keep climbing!
Blaze the trail, and we will follow,
Hark, The eagle's call,
On brothers, on until we're Eagles all.
|
IT'S ONLY A
PIN
|
Two fond parents
watch their boy where he stands,
Apart from his comrades tonight,
And see placed on this camp-battered tunic,
A badge...An Eagle...the emblem of right.
It seems just a few short months have passed
Since he joined with the youngsters next door...
How proud they are then of their Tenderfoot pin
As they told of the message it bore.
But the years have gone as he struggled along;
To learn what the Scout Law's about;
He practiced then daily, the Oath and the Law,
Until now he is an Eagle Scout.
You may smile in your worldly wisdom at this
And say, "Why it's only a pin."
But I'll tell you , no honors he'll gain as a man
Will mean quite as much to him.
The red, white and blue of the ribbon you see
Are the symbols of
honor and truth.
He has learned how to value these fine attributes
In the glorious
days of his youth.
And the
out-flinging wings of the Eagle that rests
On the breast of this knight of today
Are the wings, which will lift him above petty deeds,
And guide him along the right way.
Yes, it's only a pin, just an Eagle Scout badge,
But the heart beneath it beats true,
and will throb to the last for the things that are good;
A lesson...for me...and for you.
|
EAGLE
OATH
|
I (re)affirm my
allegiance to the three promises of the Scout Oath.
I thougtfully recognize and take upon myself the obligations and
responsibilities of an Eagke Scout.
On my honor, I will do my best to make my training an example
and my status and my influence count strongly for better Scouting
and for better citizenship in my troop, in my community,
and in my contacts with other people.
To this I pledge my sacred honor.
|
SCOUT
VESPERS
|
Softly falls the
light of day, While our campfire fades away.
Silently each
Scout should ask, Have I done my daily task?
Have I kept my
honor bright? Can I guiltness sleep tonight?
Have I done and
have I dared, Everything to be prepared?
Listen Lord, oh listen Lord, As I whisper soft and low.
Bless my mom and Bless my dad,
These are things that they should know.
I will keep my honor Bright, The oath and law will be my guide.
And mom and dad this you should know,
Deep in my heart I love you so.
|
|
