 It
is with an enormous amount of pride and happiness that InfoAge
Science-History Learning Center wishes to recognize Joshua L. Foxton of Wall Township
Thunderbird Scout District of the Monmouth Council as
having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and being awarded this leadership award for his exceptional contribution towards honoring WWII veterans.
The fact that a boy is an Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special
significance, not only in Scouting but also as he enters higher education,
business or industry, and community service. The award is a performance-based
achievement whose standards have been well-maintained over the years. Not every
boy who joins a Boy Scout troop earns the Eagle Scout rank; only about 4 percent
of all Boy Scouts do so. This represents more than 1 million Boy Scouts who have
earned the rank since 1911. Nevertheless, the goals of Scouting—citizenship
training, character development, and personal fitness—remain important for all
Scouts, whether or not they attain the Eagle Scout rank.
 To earn the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Boy
Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor
skills. Although many options are available to demonstrate proficiency in these
areas, a number of specific skills are required to advance through the
ranks—Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. To advance,
a Boy Scout must pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and
merit badges.
 Josh
Foxton has met and exceeded all that was required of him and more. To
scan his credentals in this heroic endeavor is to be truly impressed!
For those of us on the staff of InfoAge Science-History Learning
Center, Josh's contribution otwards the restoration of the historic
guardhouse site has to be appreciated a thousand times over. One has only to
look at what was there before before and what you will see now to truly recognize the enormity of
this as an Eagle project. It is now a lasting contribution to the
ever-increasing success of InfoAge.
 Let's
get a little bit more specific here. Now although the requirements to
reach Eagle Scout rank are many, and all of great importance, those of
us here at InfoAge are especially appreciative of the countless hours
Josh has put in towards the extensive renovation of a genuine historic
building. Of course, I'm referring to
Joshua’s project which consisted of replacing the Diana site sentry post
building, a 64square foot WWII structure. Joshua’s able advisor is this endeavor has been Ms. Sue
Renshaw.
The original sentry post had extensive water damage due to a hole
in the roof. Joshua’s first challenge was to demolish the rotted structure
and dispose of the debris. To reconstruct a new sentry post would have cost over $7,000. Instead, Joshua selected a much more cost effective course that resulted in the preservation on another WWII sentry post.
With the
help of Ken Critchlow and the staff of Wall Township Public Works a good 8
by 8 foot building of similar vintage was lifted from its foundation and driven from Watson
Road to the Diana site on Marconi Road. It was placed upon the original
foundation ready for a new floor system Joshua had constructed. Atlantic
Crane Company donated the services of a crane to lift the structure to
remove the old floor system and place the upper structure on the new floor
system. The sentry post was given a new roof, brokenwindows were repaired,
exterior damage repaired and everything was repainted inside and out.
Atlantic Glass Company, Lowe’s, the Ruding family, the Recycling Center, and
the Wall Kiwanis Club made donations to help the
project.
Josh's completion of this challenging project has helped to further the preservation of the
Camp Evans National Historic District. Camp Evans has been designated a
Living Memorial to WWII as students and families will be learning science
and history where WWII science and history was made.
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Boy Scouts of America Troop 82 Court of Honor and Eagle Recognition
Ceremony for Joshua L. Foxton was fulfilled on March 20, 2005 at South
Wall Fire House. A plethora of family, friends and honored guests had
come together in a distinguished ceremony to honor Josh for one of the
outstanding moments of his life. |
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Congratulations are well due to this young man who made the extra
effort to earn the Eagle award. In this 60th year since the ending of WWII. Josh has exhibited exceptional character and dedication to a difficult project that will honor the service of WWII veterans. He has made his family, friends and community proud.
Although
heaping adulations are very much in order, it is time to move on and
timetable Josh's trek in much greater detail. Please follow along his
trail by choosing a topic from the selection table that follows:
"THE LONG ROAD"
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Tiger Cubs (Sierra Madre CA)
Cub Scouts (Pack 1787 - Hollywood MD)
Cub Scouts (Pack 333 - Wall NJ)
Goshen Scout Camp as a Cub Scout
Arrow of Light - May 1, 1998
Boy Scouts
Order of Arrow (Na-Tsi-Hi Lodge)
Ordeal Member
Brotherhood
Forestburg Scout Reservation
Patrol Leader
Junior Leadership Training (Quail Hill)
Troop Guide
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
Senior Patrol Leader - August 1, 2001
Philmont Scout Reservation - July 2002
Assistant Scoutmaster
Eagle Scout - December 8, 2004
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MERIT BADGES
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Camping
Citizenship in the Community
Citizenship in the World
Communications
Environmental Science
First Aid
Hiking
Orienteering
Physical Fitness
Snow Sports
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Canoeing
Citizenship in the Nation
Climbing
Computers
Family Life
Forestry
Life Saving
Personal Management
Small Boat Sailing
Swimming
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TRAIL TO EAGLE
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Walk upon the trail,
that links the
future with the past.
Take the Oath,
Live the Law.
The pathway to Eagle,
is steep and narrow.
Your journey will require,
skill and fortitude.
Your reward:
Knowledge and Understanding.
enough to base a lifetime on.
Your challenge is to:
Take the journey,
Join the few and
Soar with the Eagle.
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TRAIL THE EAGLE
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Trail the Eagle, Trail the Eagle,
Climbing all the time.
First the Star and then the Life,
Will on your bosom shine, keep climbing!
Blaze the trail, and we will follow,
Hark, The eagle's call,
On brothers, on until we're Eagles all.
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IT'S ONLY A PIN
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Two fond parents watch their boy where he stands,
Apart from his comrades tonight,
And see placed on this camp-battered tunic,
A badge...An Eagle...the emblem of right.
It seems just a few short months have passed
Since he joined with the youngsters next door...
How proud they are then of their Tenderfoot pin
As they told of the message it bore.
But the years have gone as he struggled along;
To learn what the Scout Law's about;
He practiced then daily, the Oath and the Law,
Until now he is an Eagle Scout.
You may smile in your worldly wisdom at this
And say, "Why it's only a pin."
But I'll tell you , no honors he'll gain as a man
Will mean quite as much to him.
The red, white and blue of the ribbon you see
Are the symbols of honor and truth.
He has learned how to value these fine attributes
In the glorious days of his youth.
And the out-flinging wings of the Eagle that rests
On the breast of this knight of today
Are the wings, which will lift him above petty deeds,
And guide him along the right way.
Yes, it's only a pin, just an Eagle Scout badge,
But the heart beneath it beats true,
and will throb to the last for the things that are good;
A lesson...for me...and for you.
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EAGLE OATH
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I (re)affirm my allegiance to the three promises of the Scout Oath.
I thougtfully recognize and take upon myself the obligations and
responsibilities of an Eagke Scout.
On my honor, I will do my best to make my training an example
and my status and my influence count strongly for better Scouting
and for better citizenship in my troop, in my community,
and in my contacts with other people.
To this I pledge my sacred honor.
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SCOUT VESPERS
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Softly falls the light of day, While our campfire fades away.
Silently each Scout should ask, Have I done my daily task?
Have I kept my honor bright? Can I guiltness sleep tonight?
Have I done and have I dared, Everything to be prepared?
Listen Lord, oh listen Lord, As I whisper soft and low.
Bless my mom and Bless my dad,
These are things that they should know.
I will keep my honor Bright, The oath and law will be my guide.
And mom and dad this you should know,
Deep in my heart I love you so.
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PHOTO TOUR
(click photos or underlining to view larger prints)
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