It took 80 years to accomplish the feat. However, at Matthew Ogg's Eagle Scout ceremony Nov. 25, it became official: Boy Scout Troop 320, marking the 80th year since its founding in Manchester, celebrated its first father and son duo to achieve the pinnacle of Scouting.
In 1981, Matthew's father David Ogg earned the rank of Eagle Scout after completing a leadership project of constructing picnic benches at Christmas Tree Park, Manchester. Ogg continued his commitment to scouting by then serving as Scoutmaster of the troop for four years.
Matthew's leadership project was completed at St. John's (Leister's) Lutheran Church, Westminster, where he enclosed and improved the picnic pavilions on the church grounds. Taking design tips from sections of the pavilions already enclosed, he drew up plans to make vertical hinging doors so that the openings could be raised and lowered at convenience.
At the Eagle ceremony also held at Leister's church, Pastor Kristin Dubsky lauded the project and the improvement to the facilities. Ogg's construction project provides a more efficient design for serving at the annual strawberry and peach festivals as well as storage space for the church.
A highlight at the ceremony was the transfer of an Indian headdress made by Ed Copeland. As a 1980s Troop 320 leader knowledgeable about Indian lore, Copeland challenged his scouts to attain the Eagle rank and promised a hand-crafted Indian headdress made by him to those who achieved the goal.
David and his older brother Kenneth both earned their Eagle ranks. David now has both headdresses made by Copeland after his brother was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1983. It was an emotional moment for David, his wife Lisa and their two daughters, Emily and Melanie, as David described the origin of the headdress, then placed it on Matthew's head.
Earlier in November, Matthew spoke about the history of Troop 320 Eagle Scouts for the 80th anniversary celebration held at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. During his comments, he acknowledged that his own family's heritage in scouting was important as motivation for completing his goal prior to the age deadline established in scout regulations.
Ethan Draddy, Scout Executive & CEO
Baltimore Area Council,
Boy Scouts of America
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