Parker Scout Camp in Nisswa was a busy place last weekend when cheers of Cub Scouts and camp counselors filled the air during two special celebrations, including one that honored St. Cloud Catholic Diocese Bishop Donald Kettler with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
This award was established in 1969 to acknowledge Eagle Scouts who have received extraordinary national-level recognition, fame or eminence within their field and have a strong record of voluntary service to their community. Only Eagle Scouts who earned the Eagle Scout rank a minimum of 25 years previously are eligible for nomination. The award is given by the National Eagle Scout Association upon the recommendation of a committee of Distinguished Eagle Scouts.
Only 4 percent of Scouts will ever achieve the rank of Eagle Scout and of that many, even less will ever be considered for the Distinguished Eagle Scout.
The award highlighted Biship Kettler’s long service to the Catholic community and his continued service to the Boy Scouts of America since earning the rank of Eagle Scout Oct. 3, 1957. Kettler, in addition to being the Bishop for the St. Cloud Diocese, continues to serve and protect young people through his position by currently serving on the Central Minnesota Council Board of Directors and also the U.S. Conference of Catholics Bishops Committee for the protection of children and young people.
“Receiving this honor says to me Scouting has done some important things for me and therefore I’ve learned from that,” Kettler said.
The ability to camp, he said, helped prepare him for his time in Alaska, when he served a parish there, because he remembers it being very basic.
A study of Scouts showed a large percentage and their families were introduced to faith through the Scouting program, which holds its duty to God in its founding principles. Also a significant percentage of Scouts will go on to some form of religious work after being a Scout, such as being a priest or pastor.
The group also broke ground for its Parker Plaza, which will enhance the area where flag ceremonies are currently held. The updates will include an area with pavers being sold to honor individuals, 12 large pillars celebrating each of the points of the Scout Law and updates to the three flag poles.
For more information about Scouting in Central Minnesota, visit bsacmc.org.
Central Minnesota Council Commissioner Drew Blank bestows the Distinguished Eagle Scout award to St. Cloud Diocesan Bishop Donald Kettler.
Central Minnesota Council Scout Executive David Trehey addresses the group of campers.
