It was a proud day for the Ditmanson family on Saturday, January 7, when Alex received his Eagle Scout certification, Boy Scouts’ highest honor. His father Mark gave the invocation and his mother pinned his Eagle Scout medal on his lapel.
About 30 friends and family members of Alex Ditmanson were on hand at St. John’s Catholic Church in Grand Marais on Saturday, January 7 to see Boy Scout Troop 167 Leader Dan Baumann present Alex as the troop’s newest Eagle Scout.
It was a joyous day for the Ditmanson family. Alex’s father, Pastor Mark Ditmanson, gave the invocation and benediction.
Alex’s brother, Eagle Scout Daniel Ditmanson, read a story called One Hundred Scouts.
Here is an edited portion of what Daniel read.
“Of any one hundred boys who will become Scouts, it must be confessed that thirty will drop out in their first year. Perhaps this may be regarded as a failure, but later in life, all of these will remember that they had been in Scouting and will speak well of the program.
“Four of one hundred will reach Eagle rank, and at least one will say later that he valued his Eagle above his college degree. Many will find their future vocation through merit badge work and Scouting contracts. Seventeen of the one hundred boys will become adult leaders and will give leadership to thousands of additional boys.
“One in four boys in America will become Scouts, but it is interesting to know that of the leaders of this nation in business, religion and politics, three of four were Scouts.
“This story will never end. Like the ‘Golden Pebble’ of service dropped into the human sea, it will continue to radiate in ever-widening circles, influencing the characters of men through unending time.”
Life Scout Kyle Martinson was the Master of Ceremonies, and scouts Rusty Day and Aaron Breitsprecher were the Color Guards for the event. Day and Breitsprecher escorted Alex before the Court of Honor for his award and Martinson said, “The wearer of the Eagle award is the epitome of Scoutings’ best effort and beliefs. Today we have the pleasure of seeing Alex accomplish his goals when he joins the company of Eagle Scouts.”
Looking dapper in his scouting uniform from the 1950s, guest speaker and Eagle Scout David Hahn said, “I met Alex when he was a little shaver. He was in first grade and I was teaching Bible class. I could tell then that he and his brother were something special.”
Hahn went on to say that an Eagle Scout has walked on the moon, one had won the Medal of Honor and one Eagle Scout had been president of the United States.
He said he had made lifelong friends from scouting and recounted some of his adventures rafting rivers, hiking and camping in the wilderness.
With joy and pride, David recounted the flower and vegetable garden at Cook County High School that was in place because Alex planned it and oversaw the building of it for his final Eagle Scout project.
“But the greatest gift I received from Boy Scouts was how to become an American citizen,” said Hahn, adding, “Don’t ever leave Scouting.”
Eagle Scout Jonathan Baumann shook Alex’s hand and welcomed him into the flock, saying he was honored to be part of the ceremony. Jonathan read the Eagle Scout Challenge, which highlights what is taught in scouting: Honor, Loyalty, Courage, Cheerfulness, and Service.
“The Eagle stands a protector of the weak and helpless. He aids and comforts the unfortunate and oppressed. He holds the right of others while defending his own. He will always “Be Prepared” to put forth his best.
“You deserve much credit for having achieved Scouting’s highest award. But wear your award with humility, ever mindful that the Eagle Scout is looked up to as an example. May the Scout Oath and the Scout Law be your guide for tomorrow and onward,” said Baumann to Alex.
Troop 166 Leader Dan Baumann said, “It is great pleasure to present you with this award. Life Scout Alex Ditmanson, we are finally at that point you have been waiting for. It is now time to formally present this high badge of accomplishment. By the authority vested in me by the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America, it is my pleasure to pronounce you an Eagle Scout.”
With that, Baumann presented Alex’s mother with a pin, and said, “Your mother has undoubtedly been the greatest source of inspiration in your quest for the Eagle Award. I am going to ask her to pin your Eagle award on your left pocket.”
Once the Eagle award had been properly pinned, Baumann looked at Alex and said, “It’s okay to give your mother a kiss” and when Alex kissed his mother on the cheek everyone cheered and clapped.
Next Alex presented his mother with a miniature Eagle pin and gave his father an Eagle tie tack.
More awards will come later. Baumann said the Eagle Scout certification and personal letter of commendation from the Chief Scout Executive, Boy Scouts of America, would arrive in the near future.
As for Alex, he thanked everyone and said that he planned to keep his ties to scouting throughout his life. “Scouting has shaped me into the person that I am today,” he said humbly as the ceremony ended.
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