CONTACT:
Hank Birdsong, Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 701
(828) 883-9316
hank@highrocks.com
http://www.troop701.org
 

Tony Donachy Receives Eagle Scout Award
 

BREVARD, NC - October 27, 2001 –

Tony Donachy, a member of BSA Troop 701 in Brevard, became Transylvania County's newest Eagle Scout on Saturday evening.  In a ceremony held at Temple Baptist Church, Tony's achievements in Scouting were recognized by local and national leaders.

The ceremony began with a prelude of bagpipe music played by Dr. Ora Wells, a former Troop 701 leader. After a flag ceremony and Invocation, Paul Shumate led the program and introduced special guests.  Wallace Galloway, District Representative for Congressman Charles Taylor, then presented Tony with a Congressional Citation and an American flag that had flown over Congress in Tony's honor. 

Tony's mother and father, Jim and Lavada Donachy, read a poem in Tony's honor followed by guest speaker Michelle Gottshall, one of Tony's former Cub Scout leaders. Michelle had traveled to Brevard from Palmyra, Pennsylvania, to speak of Tony's cub scout days.

Assistant Scoutmaster Hank Birdsong read the "Voice of the Eagle" which chronicles the steps to becoming an Eagle Scout.  Several Troop 701 Scouts then participated in the "Progression up the Ranks" ceremony led by Assistant Scoutmaster Don Climer.  The ceremony culminated with the "Eagle Pledge" led by Assistant Scoutmaster Joe DiGregorio and the "Eagle Charge" led by Wilson Hauss. The presentation of the Eagle Scout award was made by former Scoutmaster Fred McKinney. 

A complete set of photographs of the Court of honor can be found on the Troop 701 website- www.troop701.org, as well as more information about Troop 701.
Chartered as Troop 1 in 1916, the Troop has the distinction of being the oldest Boy Scout Troop in Western North Carolina and is one of the oldest Scout Troops in the nation.  The Troop was started by the Reverend John R. Hay, pastor of both the Brevard Presbyterian Church and the Davidson River Presbyterian Church.  Troop 1 was later re-designated Troop 701 by the Daniel Boone Council, which was established in 1920.  The Brevard Kiwanis Club sponsors the Troop and meetings are held every Thursday during the school year at St. Timothy United Methodist Church.

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Tony is presented an American flag that flew over the U.S. Congress in his honor

Tony Donachy is presented the Eagle Scout award by former Scoutmaster Fred McKinney. Tony is accompanied by his parents, Jim and Lavada Donachy.

After many long years of work, Tony Donachy can smile about his accomplishment

Tony Donachy's mother, Lavada Donachy, pins the Eagle award on his uniform

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Troop 701
Visit our web site at www.troop701.org