Young men throughout the world set their goal on becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.

Benjamin A. Braunstadter receives Eagle Scout Rank in Court of Honor at Spring Creek. (Tony Hughes photo)

Young men throughout the world set their goal on becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.

Becoming an Eagle Scout is not easy to come by. Many years of study and training are involved utilizing several categories such as: Duty to God and country, obeying the Scout laws, keeping themselves physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight and helping other people at all times.

On Dec. 14, this goal came true for Benjamin A. Braunstadter, the son of Dennis and Sandra (Hughes) Braunstadter all of Spring Creek. Ben received his Eagle Scout rank at a special Court of Honor in Spring Creek when his grandfather, Tony Hughes of Hawthorne, pinned the Eagle Scout badge on Ben’s Scout uniform.

At the ceremonies, Jaris White, Ben’s Scout Master presented him with his Eagle Scout membership card and certificate. Scout Executive Dave Schreiter congratulated Ben on his accomplishment on reaching the rank of Eagle Scout and gave the Eagle challenge. It was Ben’s turn then to present his mother, Sandra with the miniature Eagle Scout pin and his father, Dennis with a miniature Eagle Scout pin as his special mentor.

He expressed special thanks for their help, assistance and support during his years in the Scout program. Ben also presented two other individuals Pete Carter and Jared Byland, pins as mentors who helped him in many ways.

Adding to his excitement and joy, Ben was presented, by his father and mother, a brand new Special Edition .22 caliber lever action rifle that was engraved with all the scout emblems and a special Eagle Scout emblem.

To complete the requirements of becoming an Eagle Scout, the scout has to organize, supervise and recruit helpers to help complete a project that was approved by the Scout organization. Ben’s project was to engineer, organize and complete a shelter at the Spring Creek Campground. Also added to the project was to layout and completing a trail at the campground. Ben thanked all those involved in helping with the project.

The skills a scout learns while performing the requirements of many distinguished merit badges helps them in cases of different situations that may occur during their lives.

In the fall of 2012, Ben along with his mother, Sandra, and two cousins, Anthony and David Collins were deer hunting in the mountain north of Elko when his mother was involved in a four-wheel quad accident. With the scout training the boys had, Ben called on 911 on his cell phone. Using the GPS on his phone he was able to direct a rescue helicopter to the site. The three boys used their scout training skills and assisted Ben’s mother until the rescue team arrived.

Congratulations Ben on your outstanding achievement.  The rank of an Eagle Scout will be of benefit in many ways in your future life.