Lisa Bass
Contributing writer
Two Troop 42 Eagle Scouts recently celebrated the highest and most coveted rank in Boy Scouting and were challenged to a lifelong responsibility.
Noah Dabney is a homeschooled senior. He completed his Boy Scout livelihood in May 2017 with the completion of his Eagle project and paperwork. At the Christiansburg Presbyterian Church, Dabney built a basketball half-court, complete with a basketball goal, painted lane and foul lines.
Two benches were also constructed next to the basketball court in memory of his late father. Dabney’s ceremony was held on Monday, Dec. 4 during a Troop 145 Meeting in the St. Paul Church Activity building.
Thomas Davidson, a 2017 Christiansburg High School graduate, held his Eagle Scouts ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Blue Ridge Church. Davidson built garden boxes at the Warm Hearth Retirement Village in the spring of 2017.
These 15 boxes were constructed near the Village Center and are available for any senior citizen residents to create vegetable or flower gardens. Davidson presented his completed project and paperwork July 31 before a troop committee.
That July 31 date was the last time Boy Scout Troop 42 met as a unit. Trinity Baptist Church relinquished its Boy Scout Troop charter. Thus, Dabney and Davidson became the last two Troop 42 Eagle Scouts. Troop 42 had helped 27 Boy Scouts since 2005 earn the most prestigious Boy Scout award.
These Eagle Scouts are among the 3.5 million and growing Eagle Scouts in the world who represent the Scout Oath and Law, promoting the ideals to make the world a better place. At Eagle ceremonies or courts of honor, it is a climax of the many years of work by a scout with pride and joy.
Boy Scouts are not just recognized for past services and achievements. These young men are tasked with continuing to live and share the Spirit of Scouting for the common good. These Eagle Scouts are asked to dedicate their hearts and hands to the common good and make the future even greater.
Davidson is a freshman at Christopher Newport University and is studying history and leadership education.
“Thank you to everyone who helped me along my journey to Eagle Scout,” Davidson said.
Dabney is currently applying and auditioning to colleges for a musical performance degree. Dabney said to Troop 145 Boy Scouts, “At times, I did not want to continue in Boy Scouts. I thought this is not what I want to do. I can tell you now, though, it is worth it!”
Their names were added to a new Troop 145 trailer, which lists all Eagle Scouts of the former Troop 42 who continue their obligations and responsibilities of the rank of Eagle Scout.
Any boy can join a Boy Scout program to work towards improving citizenship, character development and personal fitness. Boy Scouts offer seven rank badges and 135 merit badges while engaging in a wide range of adventures.
