DERRY — Boy Scouts that work hard together often fly like eagles.
Four members of Derry Boy Scout Troop 402 earned the highest award a Scout can achieve — the Eagle — during the last eight months and celebrated their accomplishments together.
The journey began seven years ago when the quartet of Scouts started their Eagle journey. Now, as Pinkerton Academy Class of 2009 graduates, the four have earned the Eagle as they prepare for their future. All had to plan, research, and complete Eagle community service projects.
Michael LaRochelle earned his Eagle in October 2008 upon completion of his project to restore and rebuild the memorial garden and benches at the Derry Village Elementary School he once attended.
The garden was first established in memory of Derry students Justin Brabant and Christopher Davis. LaRochelle decided to make repairs to the gardens for his Eagle project.
Michael Durant achieved his Eagle in December of 2008 after his project was completed. Durant removed and replaced deteriorating fencing around the offices of his church, St. Thomas Aquinas Church. He also added new floral planters. He will be honored for his Eagle at a special ceremony in August.
Craig Yonge attained his rank of Eagle on March 4 of this year. His project dealt with the development of a program to help the flailing American Elm tree and to reintroduce and establish the historic species to the public. Yonge worked with Derry Parks and Recreation to created a seating area and garden with an American Elm tree sapling at MacGregor Park in Derry. Yonge's court of honor is later this year.
The fourth Eagle from Troop 402 is Matthew Buttaro, who completed his Eagle in April of this year. His project created a new trail at the Cole Marsh Conservation Area. With approval of the Derry Conservation Commission, a GPS device, and many volunteers, Buttaro constructed a 1.2-mile Eagle Loop Trail off the Francis Cormier Trail. He also constructed a bench for hikers and nature-enthusiasts to use.
All four Scouts participated in many years of activities at Pinkerton in addition to Scouting, including athletics, band, foreign language, and National Honor societies.
As part of Troop 402, the four boys had to complete a minimum of eight skill awards to attain first-class ranking, then Star and Life ranks, earn merit badges specific to the Eagle, then complete the Eagle community service project.
Only four percent of more than 40 million Scouts have completed the Eagle Scout journey since Scouting in America began in 1910.
