Daniel Lathrop of Lexington Park was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in a ceremony at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ridge, Maryland, on November 7th. Daniel, a member of Boy Scout Troop 561 in California, Maryland, joined the Boy Scouts of America as a Tiger Cub in 2003. He progressed through the scouting program in units in Ohio, New Jersey and Maryland. Daniel earned a total of 30 merit badges during his scouting career, and led the design and construction of a stone sidewalk at the historic Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood, Maryland, for his Eagle service project. Daniel concluded his comments at the ceremony by saying, “My memories of Scouting go from some of the greatest moments of my life to some of the hardest times I’ve had to endure. Thinking back on it all, I’ve discovered scouting didn’t make me who I am…it showed me”. Daniel is now a freshmen at Salisbury University, and plans to continue in scouting as an adult leader with Troop 561. Eagle is the highest rank in Boy Scouting, and requires the completion of numerous leadership, community service, knowledge and skill requirements. According to the National Eagle Scout Association, only around 5 percent of boys who join Boy Scouting earn the rank of Eagle.
Dignitaries at Daniel Lathrop’s Eagle Court of Honor on November 7th, 2015. From left to right: Maryland Delegate Tony O’Donnell, St Mary’s County Commissioner Todd Morgan, St Mary’s County commissioner Tom Jarboe, honoree’s father Jeff Lathrop, Eagle Scout Daniel Lathrop, Maryland Delegate and honoree’s mother Deb Rey, St Mary’s County Commissioner Mike Hewitt, Marine Corps League Detachment 1305 Commandant Joe Fay, Maryland Senator Steve Waugh. Photo by Ed Balaton.