DeTora earns Eagle Scout rank

August 23, 2010

Submitted photo,

Matthew C. DeTora was awarded the highest rank in Scouting - the Eagle Scout Award - in a Court of Honor ceremony July 23 at the Antietam Community Center in Keedysville.

Matthew is a member of Boy Scout Troop 20 in Boonsboro, which is sponsored by the Boonsboro Lions Club.

Committee Chairman Bret Smith served as master of ceremonies. Tim Winebrenner gave the invocation before Nick Dougherty and Tyler Garner presented the colors.

Eagle Scout Jeffrey DeTora and J.J. Navarro presented the Scout Law candle ceremony. Rod Winebrenner explained the significance of the Eagle Badge, followed by Stephen Shaffer reading the Eagle Charge.

Scoutmaster John Navarro, along with parents Bill and Carol DeTora, presented the Eagle Badge to Matthew. Matthew then gave his mother a miniature Eagle pin and his father an Eagle tie tack for their guidance and support.

Gerald Cump of Hagers-town Elks Lodge No. 378 presented Matthew with the Americanism Award and a silk flag. The Elks purchase the Eagle kits for all Eagle Scouts in Washington County. Cump talked about Eagle Scouts being outstanding citizens and patriotic Americans.

State Sen. Donald F. Munson presented a State Senate resolution and described the responsibilities of Eagle Scouts. Matthew received a Maryland paperweight, along with Maryland flag and State Seal pins from Munson.

Del. Christopher Shank spoke about Eagle Scouts being "marked men" and how much is expected from them in the future. He presented Matthew with a State House resolution and a book titled "See You At The Top" by Zig Ziggler.

After the benediction, the colors were retired and taps was played by Matthew.

Matthew began Scouting as a Tiger Cub with Pack 125 in Middletown, Del. He earned the Arrow of Light - the highest award as a Cub Scout and the Parvuli Dei, a religious emblem.

Upon moving to Maryland in 2005, Matthew joined Troop 20 and has earned 36 merit badges. Matthew has attended summer camps at Henson, Rodney and Sinoquipe Scout reservations.

He has served as bugler, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader and is junior assistant Scoutmaster of his troop.

For his Eagle service project, Matthew refurbished the outside of the Keedysville Library.

He planted new shrubs and flowers around the building, and added two rain barrels with soaker hoses to water the plants.

The exterior of the building was power washed, and new lines and parking stops were painted in the parking lot.

The project was completed with the help of Troop 20 Scouts and Scouters.

Matthew is a senior at Boonsboro High School.

He plans to attend college and major in business management, and will be a member of his college's wind and jazz ensembles.

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