Good evening Scouts,

  Most of you do not know me, but I am an Eagle Scout from Troop 182 who graduated St. Sebastian’s in 2006 and now attend the University of Miami.   I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my time as a Scout, especially as I have read so many emails recently regarding to merit badges.  You have heard this again and again, but completing the merit badges, the community service, and Eagle, are more beneficial in more ways than you can possibly imagine.  At this point now in your lives, you don’t always see the honor of completing Eagle; however, I guarantee you when you apply to college, apply for an internship, or in an interview, and you didn’t complete your scouting career with your parents pinning the medal to your uniform, you will say, “I wish I had finished Eagle.”  When you go to college, to an interview, a job, you will see why it was important to finish Eagle.  In a few years, you will see what the Scout Oath and Scout Law mean to you, and how you live them everyday without thinking, and yes, I do remember both!  You will be above and beyond the expectations of those around you, and will immediately be called a leader, because others want to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, etc. as you do as an Eagle Scout.  As an Eagle, you must live by the Oath and Law, but what makes an Eagle separate from others, is the ability to instill the Oath and Law in others. 

  I know few people who have completed the journey stay in contact with the troop, but I wanted to make sure everyone knows the importance and honor in attaining Eagle Scout.  Although I can’t stay involved at meetings, or with much back home in Wellesley, I wanted to open myself to the scouts and parents in the troop with any questions or concerns about the journey of scouting, Eagle,  and growing up as a scout.  Please feel free to contact me at any time about this great journey.  Do not miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime!

In Scouting,

Russ Haws

Eagle Scout ‘05