Kyle Moreau honored as Eagle Scout
by Angie Asam, Staff Writer
Kyle D. Moreau earned the rank of Eagle Scout January 3, 2011. Last Thursday his Eagle Court of Honor was held at the Onaway Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall. Moreau became Onaway?s seventh Eagle Scout since 2005 and 17th overall.
The Moreau family was not new to the procedure as Kyle?s brother Evan was the last Eagle Scout when he earned the honor in 2009.
Since 1912 only about 5 percent of boys who join scouting earn the rank of Eagle Scout. ?Onaway is very exceptional to that statistic,? said Tom Wakefield. Fr. Peter Eke came forward to offer an invocation for the ceremony asking God to continue to bless Kyle on his journey. Assistant scoutmaster Barry Fitzpatrick then came forward to introduce some special guests present at the ceremony including Fr. Eke, Mike and Marianne Bruce (Mike is the executive director of the Thunderhead district of scouting), scoutmaster Fred Stevens; and state representative Pete Pettallia.
Wakefield then lit the Spirit of Scouting Candle before beginning the Eagle Scout Ceremony. Other members of Troop 86 were invited forward to light the candles of scouting, blue, white and red before Moreau came forward to begin his ceremony.
Wakefield then invited Kyle?s parents, Mike and Marisue Moreau to come forward. His mother had the honor of pinning his Eagle medal on his uniform before Kyle was asked to present her with her Eagle?s mother?s pin. His father then gave him his certificate before being pinned with his Eagle?s father pin. Kyle then presented his brother Evan with his mentor?s pin for helping him along his journey to becoming an Eagle Scout. Kyle was then presented with his letter declaring him as an Eagle Scout from the chief executive of scouting before Pettallia came forward to present him with a document signed by him, Howard Walker and Gov. Rick Synder.
?It gives me great pleasure to bring this tribute to Kyle. I myself served in a troop in the Detroit area but never quite accomplished what you have Kyle. This is a challenge for you for the future. Michigan and this nation are in dire need of strong leaders. Brother Evan then came forward to present Kyle with his Eagle Scout Charge and Challenge as well as recite the oath with Kyle before giving Kyle a chance to speak on his accomplishment.
After thanking everyone for coming to his court of honor Kyle discussed the many ways scouting has touched his life. Kyle was shy when he began Boy Scouts and admits that summer camp was challenge for him, as his first time away from his parents. But Kyle learned teamwork and the importance of working together.
?Boy Scouts has not only taught me many skills but has helped me become a leader instead of the follower I once was. I have Boy Scouts to thank for the person I am today,? said Kyle. During his time with Boy Scouts Kyle spend time as a troop guide, a historian, a scribe and an assistant senior patrol leader.
Kyle joined Cub Scout Pack 3086 in September of 2000 and began his journey toward Eagle Scout. After moving through the ranks of Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelo ranks, he then attained the highest award in cub scouts; the Arrow of Light. Cub Scouts were filled with fun and laughter but it was time to move on.
Dec. 12, 2004 Kyle joined Boy Scout Troop 86. He learned about scouting and earned his scout rank on May 3, 2005. On Dec. 19, 2005 Kyle earned the tenderfoot rank by memorizing the oath and the law, going on his first campout and learning basic first aid skills. Kyle continued to be active in the troop and spent time learning about a variety of things that led him to becoming a second-class scout on Feb. 5, 2007 and eventually a first-class scout March 11, 2008. With choices ahead of him, what merit badges to earn, where to spend his service hours and what troop position to hold, he earned the star rank on July 24, 2009. >From there the merit badges got a little to
Moreau then worked on earning his 21 merit badges and planning and organizing a service project. Moreau power washed, stained and reroofed a three sided shelter owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and used by hikers, campers and picnickers. With the Thunder Bay Trails Association donating the materials for the project Kyle worked hard to complete his service project that had to show organizational and leadership skills.
Now Kyle stands at the pinnacle of scouting with his merit badges and service project completed.
In attaining the rank of Eagle Scout Kyle joined Russel Matthews (1946), Walter Luecke (1950), Robert Luecke (1950), John Ladd (1952), Lynn Mueller (1965), Dennis Smith (1968), Loel Lippie (1969), Donald Baker Jr. (1979), Richard Thompson (1980), Brian Janeczik (1980), Alan Anderson (2005), Greg Ellenberger (2005), Benjamin P. Ellenberger (2007), Neil A. Osantowski (2007), Christopher P. Ellenberger (2008) and Evan M. Moreau (2009) as the 17th Eagle Scout to come out of Onaway.