by Brian Keaney

Two new Eagle Scouts from Troop 3 were awarded their badges on Sunday during a Court of Honor at the Church of the Good Shepard.  To earn the badge Matt Fay and Nick Tervian each had to earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, and plan, develop, and lead a major service project.

“I’m very proud of all my scouts, especially these two young men,” said Scoutmaster Glen Kubic.

For his Eagle Project, Fay cleared an area of shrub at Hale Reservation in Westwood and built several picnic benches there.  Tervian worked at the newly reconstructed Churchill Park, cleaning the area, building horseshoe pits and painting the playground equipment. 

An Eagle Project must demonstrate the scout’s leadership skills.  It is the culmination of a scout’s training, and usually requires over 100 man hours of work.   Parks and Recreation Commissioner Sal Ledda, who attended the ceremony, said this was not the first time Tervian had volunteered his time.

“Nick has never been anything but great for the Town of Dedham,” Ledda said.  “He did an amazing job at Churchill.”

 Officials from Hale Reservation said Fay’s work there was both “wonderful and unexpected.”

“I was absolutely delighted with the end product,” said Julia Brune, Membership Beach Director at Hale.  “The Teen Program at Membership Beach for years to come will benefit by having a special place to call their own.”

State Representative Paul McMurtry and Selectmen Chairman Jim MacDonald and Vice-chairman Mike Butler presented each of the Eagle Scouts with resolutions honoring their accomplishments.  A representative from State Senator Marian Walsh’s office brought one from the State Senate.

The Constellation Lodge AF & AM provides Troop 3 with kits for each new Eagle Scout.  The kit includes the badge, a medal to be worn on the uniform, and pins for the Eagle’s mother, father, and a mentor. 

During their speeches, Fay and Tervian thanked their friends and families, and told stories of some of their favorite memories in Scouting.  Fay told of one camping trip to the annual Klondike Derby.

At the Derby scouts compete against other troops by pulling a sled and performing various tasks such as fire building and first aid at stations along the trail.  Near the starting line Fay’s sled hit a rock and shattered.  The scouts were able to run through the woods carrying the pieces faster than they were able to pull the whole sled, he said, and won the derby.

Tervian said he originally belonged to another troop, but transferred to Troop 3.  He was “blown away” by all the activities the Troop had going on, he said.  Tervian also told of his family’s involvement with Scouts, with a grandfather involved in Scouting for over 40 years and three uncles who are also Eagle Scouts.

“Stick with it,” Fay told the younger scouts.  “It will stay with you for the rest of your life.”

Disclosure: I am an Eagle Scout from Troop 3.