Eagle Scout Alumni - May 2015

Issue #1

Recognizing Our Newest Eagles

More than 1,200 Scouts and Scout families made their way to Municipal Music Hall on February 22 to honor three generations of Eagle Scouts. The 2014 David M. Lockton Eagle Scout Class Reception recognized more than 200 members of the 2014 Eagle Scout Class as well as Eagle Scouts from the 1964 and 1989 classes who were celebrating their 50th and 25th anniversaries.

In 2014, 675 young men were awarded their Eagle Scout badge in the Heart of America Council — that’s more than twice the national average. Eagle Scouts in 2014 also donated more than 85,000 hours of community service through Eagle Scout projects. Members of the 2014 class who attended this year’s reception were presented a limited edition challenge coin and were included in the official Eagle Scout class photo. Attendees can order their very own commemorative photo here.

This year’s reception also featured the presentation of the Paul D. Arend Distinguished Scoutmaster Award and the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. The Paul D. Arend Distinguished Scoutmaster Award is presented annually to a Heart of America Council Scoutmaster who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the values of the Scout Oath and Law and to the mentorship of Eagle Scouts. This year’s award was presented to Scoutmaster David McCaughey from Troop 1195 in Lee’s Summit, MO.

The 2015 Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award was presented to Eagle Scout Andrew Clark from Troop 282 in Leawood, KS. Andrew’s Eagle Scout project was conducted at his church, Leawood Presbyterian. Andrew, along with Scouts from Troop 282, constructed a bridge across a creek at the church. The project was designed to allow riding lawnmowers and other equipment to move around the property easier and to help the church use the land more effectively.

Special thanks to everyone that attended especially David Lockton, Chairman, Lockton Companies, our 2014 Eagle Scout Honoree. 


A Royal Gathering at the K

The Royal Gathering of Eagles, an annual tradition returned in April, and the Eagle Alumni Association was on-hand to reconnect, rekindle, and recommit at Kauffman Stadium. 

In addition to presenting the Kauffman Distinguished Eagle Award, all Eagle Scouts present were given a commemorative coin celebrating the Royal Gathering of Eagles. To top it off, the boys in blue got us a win!


Eagle Profile

Commander William B. Palmer II

Eagle Scout Class of 1986
Troop 370, Parkville, MO
Occupation: Commander, US Navy

Commander William B. Palmer II, an Eagle Scout and native of Parkville, Missouri, currently serves as the Commanding Officer of Regional Support Organization Pacific Northwest. Regional Support Organization Pacific Northwest provides technical and readiness assistance to two fast frigates and two guided missile destroyers home ported in the Pacific Northwest. CDR Will Palmer holds a Bachelor's of Arts in International Relations from the University of San Diego, a Master's of Arts in Diplomacy from Norwich University and a Master's of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He enlisted in the Navy as a Chinese Linguist in 1988 and has served in numerous positions and received a number of promotions over his years in the military.

Will’s father, a Life Scout, was involved with Scouting and encouraged his son along the trail to Eagle. Commander Palmer loved the challenge offered by the outdoors, but that was only one of many reasons he was attracted to Scouting.

How and why did you join Scouting?

Palmer: “I was invited to join by a friend — a life-long friend with whom I shared Eagle Courts. I did not join Scouting for any one specific reason. I loved the outdoors — hunting and fishing with my Dad. My Dad was a Scout. As he says, he’s a “Life” Life Scout. He stressed that not earning Eagle is a lifelong regret.”

What were your favorite Scouting activities or camping trips?

Palmer: “By far, my favorite activities were our troop’s traditional, annual campouts. Two that still stand out are a Winter Survival Campout and a Rifle and Shotgun Campout. Every January / February timeframe, we went on a Winter Survival Campout where I learned real survival skills that were later confirmed in aviation survival training. I’ve also used some of these skills camping, hunting and fishing in cold weather such as I found in central Maine. Other traditional campouts included a November Rifle and Shotgun Campout where we learned gun safety and applied marksman skills on the range. I believe that years of attending these campouts, combined with a couple while in the Leadership Corps, started a lifelong passion in teaching others how to safely and efficiently handle weapons, most notably as a Weapons Officer.”

How did Scouting impact your choice of major in college or your choice of career?

Palmer: “Scouting helped define my concept of duty and service. My adult leaders embodied both military and community service. Our Scoutmaster, a Green Beret Vietnam Veteran, continued his service as the Scoutmaster and a Marine Corps Reservist. Other scout leaders were volunteer firefighters, policeman and great citizens. They gave so much to my friends and I…even after they gave in other capacities. I think Scouting gave me a distinct desire to always serve. Business never interested me.”

What does being an Eagle Scout mean to you?

Palmer: “I belong to a brotherhood that believes they are bound to ideals greater than themselves. We value doing a good turn daily, living by the Scout Oath and Law, achieving goals and active citizenship. But most impressive and inspiring, is that young men of great character lead our young scouts, young boys, with the goal of also being an Eagle Scout — permanently associated with those values. Eagle Scout is not just a milestone achievement, but also a lifelong journey and call to serve others.”