Buckley Eagle Scout follows in family’s footsteps of service

Blake R. Halvorsen is the newest Eagle Scout from Troop 305 of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Jan. 11, an Eagle Court of Honor was given for Halvorsen where he was officially sworn in as an Eagle Scout by his older brother, Cameron, who has also achieved this rank. Achieving the rank of Eagle in the Scouting program is no small feat. Halvorsen had to complete many rank advancements and merit badges before considering his final project.

February 9, 2009 10:00 pm
Scout leader Kory Custer pins the Eagle medal to Blake Halvorsen’s uniform pocket during an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony Jan. 11.
Scout leader Kory Custer pins the Eagle medal to Blake Halvorsen’s uniform pocket during an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony Jan. 11.

Blake R. Halvorsen is the newest Eagle Scout from Troop 305 of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Jan. 11, an Eagle Court of Honor was given for Halvorsen where he was officially sworn in as an Eagle Scout by his older brother, Cameron, who has also achieved this rank. Achieving the rank of Eagle in the Scouting program is no small feat. Halvorsen had to complete many rank advancements and merit badges before considering his final project.

Through the scouting program, boys are given the opportunities to enhance life skills and to acquire new ones. Among some of the merit badges Halvorsen earned, his favorite and more memorable ones were rock climbing, archery and music.

For his Eagle Project, Halvorsen first gained approval from the town of South Prairie and the Scout Committee Council, and then built and replaced the basketball backboards at the South Prairie Park, re-stained park benches, and repainted faded chain posts. It was an accomplishment for him and he is satisfied with the results of his Eagle project.

To earn the rank of an Eagle is an accomplishment for any young man. It requires dedication and a commitment. So many church and community leaders helped Halvorsen in this process, and he wishes to thank Mayor Peggy LeVesque for her help, guidance and recommendations, Doug Remen, manager at Home Depot in Bonney Lake, for being instrumental in helping him get the supplies that he needed to see his project come to fruition, his Scout leaders for their volunteer time and effort they put into the Scouting program, and his parents for their support and love.

A highlight for Halvorsen was having his Grandpa Halvorsen, who will be 89 this year, fly out and be a special speaker for the occasion. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the 1948-49 Berlin Airlift, and eventually became Colonel over the Tempelhoff Air Base in Berlin, Germany in the early ‘70s at the request of the German people for his efforts in the Airlift. He spoke on dedication and committment, emphasizing “service before self.”

The younger Halvorsen will graduate from White River High School in 2010 and plays varsity basketball and football for the Hornets, and trumpet in the band. His parents are Mike and Kalleen Halvorsen of Buckley, and brothers, Cameron, Austin, and Chandler.