The Daily Press

Troop 199 welcomes 4 new Eagle Scouts

By Becky Polaski Staff Writer

BENEZETTE – Boy Scout Troop 199 added four new Eagle Scouts to its ranks on Sunday afternoon during a Court of Honor led at the EM Jack and Jean Parker Outdoor Classroom at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette.

The troop’s newest eagle scouts include Timothy Hetrick, Elias Nedimyer, and twin brothers Alex and Tyler Luckenbill.

Terry Detsch, scoutmaster of Troop 199, remarked that he has had the honor of helping these fine young men achieve their goals. Detsch also noted that the troop recently received a new charter organization.

“For the past 20 years, Elk County Tool & Die has been the charter organization for us. There have been 52 Eagle Scouts in those 20 years. They’ve decided to retire from that role, so the St. Marys Sportsmen’s Club is now the charter organization,” Detsch said.

Among the special guests in attendance on Sunday afternoon were Congressman Glenn Thompson and Pa. State Representative Mike Armanini.

Thompson assisted with the presentation of the Eagle Scout Badge and parents’ pins for each of the scouts and then shared a few remarks with the

scouts. Thompson reminded them that the Eagle Award is never given away. It is always earned.

Thompson also told the scouts that, as Eagle Scouts, it is their job to make a difference in the lives of others.

Thompson presented each of the new Eagle Scouts with a Congressional pin and letter of recognition.

Armanini also presented each of the Eagle Scouts with a citation, as well as with an American flag that had been flown over the state capital in their honor.

Armanini also briefly addressed those in attendance, offering a few remarks about the significance of the occasion and the scouts’ accomplishments.

“If there is one thing I could change, I think anyone who runs for any public office should have to be an Eagle Scout. I think our country would be in a lot better position,” Armanini said.

Additionally, Armanini cited the need to continue to grow the ranks of area Boy Scout troops, and he expressed a desire to help the organization thrive.

The program wrapped up with each of the four new Eagle Scouts having the opportunity to address attendees, sharing information about their Eagle Scout Projects, offering advice for the younger scouts in attendance, and expressing their gratitude to all those who assisted them in reaching this point in their lives and scouting careers.

Tyler Luckenbill was the first to speak. His Eagle Scout Project involved building eight benches for Bucktail Archers for their indoor archery range. Luckenbill reflected on his scouting journey and expressed his gratitude to his parents for their encouragement to stick with scouting. He presented his Mentor Pin to his mother, Wendy Luckenbill.

Next up was Alex Luckenbill, who constructed an apple cider press for the Keystone Elk Country Alliance for his Eagle Scout Project. He specifically encouraged the younger scouts to not procrastinate as they progress through their own scouting careers. He presented his Mentor Pin to his father, Steve Luckenbill.

Elias Nedimyer built bird and bat houses for Bavarian Hills Golf Course for his Eagle Scout Project. According to Nedimyer, the golf course requested the project because they were trying to build the swallow and bat populations back up in the area. His biggest piece of advice for his fellow scouts was to not lose their paperwork. Nedimyer presented his Menor Pin to his father, Dan Nedimyer.

Finally, the last scout to speak was Timothy Hetrick. For his Eagle Scout Project, Hetrick constructed two picnic tables and one bench for the baseball field on Robin Road.

“It may not sound like a lot, but it is when you don’t know how to build picnic tables,” Hetrick said.

Hetrick also shared memories from throughout his scouting career, and he also presented his Mentor Pin to Dan Nedimyer.

Following the Court of Honor, attendees joined together for food and fellowship to celebrate the troop’s newest Eagle Scouts

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2023-03-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

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