Sisters youth earns Eagle rank

The prestigious rank of Eagle Scout was awarded this past Saturday evening to Rory Petterson, a member of Troop 188, centered at the Sisters Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. More than 50 friends, family, and community members attended the Court of Honor celebrating Petterson's achievement of attaining scouting's highest award.

Officiating were Ren Broomhead, troop advisor, Barrett Ford, past scoutmaster of Troop 188, and Eric Liddell, current scoutmaster. Others on the stand included former Eagle Award recipients and two members of the local Post of the Veteran of Foreign Wars.

After the posting of the colors and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, Barrett Ford pinned the award emblem to Petterson's shirt, changed his scarf to reflect his new status and presented him with his official certificate. Petterson's parents, Mel and Swen, stood beside him and joined with the audience in applauding his new rank.

As is traditional, Petterson then presented each of his parents with a pin to represent their role in his achievement. He also wanted to recognize two mentors who were of considerable assistance and encouragement along the way, and those two pins were given to Barrett Ford and Petterson's father.

Next, Eric Liddell read The Eagle Charge, a scouting document that reminds all Eagle Scout recipients that they must remain true to the pledges they made during their scouting career, including living by the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Two members of Local VFW Post 8138, Bill Anttila, commander, and Earl Schroeder, senior vice commander, then presented Petterson with a flag that had flown at the request of Senator Jeff Merkley over the U.S. Capitol on November 14, 2015. By November Petterson had passed his board of review and the flag was flown in honor of his accomplishments.

An additional tradition, unique to the Sisters troop, is to present a handmade knife to the Eagle awardee. This was done by Mac McKibbin, maker of the knife, who warned him of its potential for injury.

At Petterson's request, three speakers then made remarks about their association with the Eagle Scout. Andrew Ellis, past young men's leader and seminary teacher at the church, Gary Thorson, high school football coach, and Jess Risenmay, the church branch president, all remarked about Petterson's integrity, dependability, academic excellence, and perseverance in getting a job done and done well.

Petterson himself then took the stand and thanked all those who had helped him along his scouting journey, which has been for the past 10 years. He especially appreciated those that had dedicated time, energy, finances, and talents, especially his parents and those who had helped with his Eagle Scout project.

Every Eagle Scout hopeful is required to do a project benefitting his local area. Petterson's was assisting in the creation of the outside amphitheater for the new Fir Street Park at the intersection of Main Avenue and Fir Street in Sisters. He worked more than six months, most often during weekends and after school, learning the art of mortise & tenon construction under the guidance of Kris Calvin of Earthwood Timber Frame Homes. The massive structure was set in place in June 2014, shortly after Petterson turned 16.

The Boy Scouts were founded in England in the early 1900s. American publisher William D. Boyce, impressed with the English idea of youth development, began the Boy Scouts of America in 1910. It has since become one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth organizations. Only 5 to 7 percent of scouts earn their Eagle Scout Award.