WASHBURN, Maine — Family, fellow Scouts, friends and special guests gathered Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Lidstone United Methodist Church to honor Paul Stanley Tardie III for attaining the coveted Eagle Rank in Boy Scouting and becoming Washburn Boy Scout Troop 177’s 39th Eagle Scout since 1969.
The afternoon began with Washburn Scouts presenting the colors, leading the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Law and Scout Oath, followed by opening prayer by Pastor Ellen Cleaves of the Lidstone United Methodist Church.
Troop 177 conducted a troop Court of Honor, presenting rank advancement, merit badges and service stars to scouts and leaders.
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- Eagle Scout Paul Tardie III and Washburn Boy Scout Troop 177 Scoutmaster Larry Harrison pose during Tardie’s recent Eagle Court of Honor ceremony. (Courtesy of Yvonne Tardie)
Tardie’s Eagle Court of Honor began with the Trail to Eagle ceremony, where Scoutmaster Larry Harrison and fellow troop members reminded him of his climb up the Eagle Trail, with an overview of each rank he earned along the way. Cards representing each rank were placed at the front of the sanctuary and candles were lit for each.
The Eagle Charge was administered by Washburn’s 30th Eagle Scout, Adam Wilcox, and all Eagle Scouts in the audience stood and reaffirmed the charge as well.
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- Washburn’s newest Eagle Scout, Paul Tardie III, poses with his family. His brothers are also on their paths to become Eagle Scouts. From left are Patrick Tardie II, Paul Tardie III, father Paul Tardie, Christopher Tardie, and mother Yvonne Tardie. (Courtesy of Yvonne Tardie)
Tardie’s mother, Yvonne, pinned the coveted Eagle Badge on his uniform, and he presented her with the Eagle Mother’s pin and customary Eagle kiss. He presented his dad, Paul Tardie, with the Eagle tie tac, and the Eagle Mentor pin to Scoutmaster Harrison. Tardie’s father presented him with the Eagle Certificate, and then both parents presented him with an Eagle Neckerchief and slide, as well as other gifts.
Washburn Eagle Scout Paul Tardie III stands with Sarah Brooks, TRIO/Upward Bound academic adviser at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. (Courtesy of Yvonne Tardie)
Then it was the new Eagle’s turn to give an account of his Scouting journey and present gifts to all those who have helped him along the way.
Tardie received recognition from Scott Harvey, council executive of the Katahdin Area Council. Keith Brown, chairman of the Washburn Town Council, read a proclamation declaring Oct. 28, 2019, as Paul Stanley Tardie III day. Cindy Richendollar of the Washburn Rotary Club, the troop’s chartered organization, gave him an Eagle Certificate from the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians. Scoutmaster Larry Harrison presented him with a certificate and five-year membership in the National Eagle Scout Association.
Committee member Pam Wilcox read letters of congratulations from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, U.S. Sen. Angus King, Rep. Jarod Golden, former U.S. congressman Bruce Poliquin and state State Senate president Troy Jackson, as well as a resolution signed by members of the Maine State Senate.
The afternoon ended with a closing prayer by Pastor Ellen Cleaves followed by refreshments and a special Eagle cake in the church fellowship room.
