Boutlier is newest Eagle Scout

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
NEW EAGLE SCOUT — Benjamin Boutlier, middle, receives his Eagle Scout pin from his mother Sandy as his father Everett, far left, and Troop 202 Scoutmaster Jeff Brooks look on. Boutlier was honored Thursday at the Big Valley Sno Club in Island Falls for reaching the prestigious rank in Scouting.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    ISLAND FALLS — For the second time this year, a member of Troop 202 has received the highest award possible by the Boy Scouts of America – the Eagle Scout award.
    Ben Boutlier was lauded Thursday evening at the Big Valley Sno Club with a dinner celebration attended by more than 80 family, friends and community members. The evening began with a spaghetti supper and ended with an emotional ceremony.
    Thursday’s ceremony began with the presentation of flags by members of Troop 202, followed by a candle-lighting ceremony. Each Scout lit a candle as they recited the Scout Law.
    Considering that only 2 percent of all Scouts ever attain the rank of Eagle Scout, it’s impressive that Boutlier is the second member of Troop 202 to receive the award this year. In January, Richard Kimball Jr. was honored by the troop for achieving the prestigious award. Kimball and his family were also on hand for Boutlier’s ceremony.
    “You have to have a good program for the kids to get them to stick with it,” Troop 202 Scoutmaster Jeff Brooks said. “You have to have something for them to do and you have to enjoy it as much as the kids do.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
RECEIVES COMMENDATION — Benjamin Boutlier, left, receives a letter of certificate from Travis Smith, who served as guest speaker at Boutlier’s Eagle Scout ceremony.
    The son of Everett and Sandy Boutlier, Ben Boutlier has been in Scouting for as long as he can remember. Boutlier said he followed in his brother Evan’s footsteps into Scouting, starting when he was 5-years-old. In his younger days, Boutlier’s father served as Cubmaster and helped guide him through Scouting.
    “Evan didn’t stick with Scouting, but I wanted to,” he said.
    “He has a lot of years in Scouting,” said Boutlier’s father, Everett. “I couldn’t be more proud of him. We had a really nice turnout tonight.”
    “He’s a great kid,” added Brooks. “I’ve had him in Scouts since he was 11 years old. It’s a very distinguished award and I am very proud of him.”
    Boutlier is entering the Army National Guard’s basic training on Feb. 22 to become a military policeman. By earning his rank of Eagle Scout, Boutlier has a leg up on his fellow cadets as he has already earned the rank of “E2” for the military. Normally, it takes about a year to attain this level and he will already be one pay scale higher than his fellow recruits.
    Travis Smith, who just returned from basic training, was the guest speaker for the evening. Smith and Boutlier attended Southern Aroostook Community School and played baseball together for the Warriors.
    “Our intentions were to join [the military] together and go [to basic training] together, but a shoulder injury prevented Ben from enlisting,” Smith said. “Needless to say, Ben showed his dedication and overcame his injury. I recall the moment he called me in basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. It was one of the best phone calls I received while in basic training. I was really proud of him.”
    For his Eagle Scout service project, Boutlier built six picnic tables for the communities of Island Falls, Oakfield, Merrill, Patten, Sherman as well as the Bethel Pentecostal Church in Oakfield. Boutlier said he chose picnic tables after talking to town officials and asking them what each could use for the community. His father also assisted in the construction.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
TABLE OF HISTORY — A table shows off the many Scouting accomplishments of Benjamin Boutlier at his Eagle Scout ceremony.
    Horten Lumber in Houlton donated material for the picnic tables.
    Merrill Town Manager Candy Nevers read several letters of congratulations, including one from Gov. Paul LePage. In LePage’s letter, he said “It is exciting for me to see a young man who has accomplished so much in his life already.”
    LePage’s letter also shared 10 two-letter words he recalled from his childhood, which helped him through tough times. “If it is to be, it is up to me,” Nevers read. “You will encounter adversarial circumstances in life, but just remember if you put your mind to it, you can overcome anything.”
    U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe also sent letters of congratulation.
    The town of Merrill’s board of selectmen and Nevers also drafted a letter of recognition for the evening.
    “Becoming an Eagle Scout takes a lifetime of dedication and decisions to do the right thing,” Nevers read. “I congratulate Benjamin’s parents for a job well-done in raising such a fine young man.”