Eric Blum
Eagle Scout 

Eric Thomas Blum was awarded the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, during a Court of Honor on October 5, 2008 at Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Apex, NC.   Eric is a member of Troop 216 in Cary and is the son of Tom and Joyce Blum, also of Apex.   He officially earned the rank of Eagle Scout on April 9, 2008 at the age of 17.  

Eric is Troop 216’s 59th Eagle Scout since it was founded in 1978.  The troop is led by Scoutmaster Bob De Contreras and is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church..

Over 50 people attended the Court of Honor, including fellow scouts, friends, siblings Katie, Angela, and Greg, and Greg’s fiancé Meredith Marceau.    Former Troop 216 Star Scout and brother, Greg Blum served as the Master of Ceremonies.. 

The ceremony opened with a presentation of the colors by Eagle Scout Gary Meyer, Eagle Scout David Szilezy, Life Scout Scott Baran, and Life Scout Chris Hibbard.  Father John-Alex Gonzalez, of the Doggett Center in Raleigh, delivered the invocation.   Gary Meyer led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Roll Call of Eagles.  Assistant Scoutmaster John Hibbard described Eric’s scouting history.  David Walters, former Troop 216 Scoutmaster and Eric’s Eagle Advisor, entertained the guests with a humorous story about completing the Eagle project in the snow and freezing rain.  Scoutmaster Bob De Contreras presented the Eagle badge and neckerchief.   Mr. Charles Fossett, the Past Exalted Ruler of the Cary Apex Elks Lodge Number 2798, presented a certificate and flag and Mr. Todd Ellis, Troop 216’s Charter Organization Representative and Knights of Columbus member, presented Eric with an engraved pen.  In recognition of his achievement, Eric also received letters of commendation from Pope Benedict XVI, President George W. Bush, Governor Michael Easley, Senator Elizabeth Dole, Senator John McCain, Bishop Michael Burbidge, Brooks & Dunn, Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron, and Adam Sandler.  A flag was flown over NC State capital and presented to Eric.  The ceremony concluded with the retiring of the colors and a benediction by Father Gonzalez.

Eric began his scouting career in the fall of 1997 as a Wolf with Pack 316 at St. Andrew Church in Apex, where he subsequently earned all of the Cub Scout ranks, 15 belt loops and 14 pins.    In January 2002, Eric received Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light, and bridged to BSA Troop 216 in January 2002..

During his tenure with Troop 216, Eric earned the mile swim award, BSA Lifeguard Training, and the Catholic Religious award Ad Altere Dei.  In 2005 he was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, a scouting honor organization.  In order to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, 21 merit badges must be earned, 12 of which are Eagle required.  Eric has earned 27 merit badges.   Eric considers the highlights of his scouting career to be camping with friends, white water rafting and the troop’s annual week of summer camp at Camp Raven Knob in Mount Airy, NC.

The BSA program heavily emphasizes leadership skills, and throughout his career with Troop 216, Eric has held numerous leadership positions, including patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, quartermaster, senior patrol leader, troop guide and instructor.  He is currently an assistant scoutmaster in the troop.   

As required by the Boy Scouts of America, a candidate for Eagle Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others while providing a service to the community.  For his project, Eric worked on the Stations of the Cross Garden at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.  Eric led thirty scouts and adults in construction and installation of stairs leading from the parking lot of St. Michael’s Church down to the Stations of the Cross Garden.  Despite numerous revisions to the project plan in order to meet Town of Cary Code, the stairs now provide the St. Michael’s community with safe passage down a very steep slope to the Garden for reflection and prayer.  Troop 216 Eagle Scout Mark Kochanski began the construction of the Stations of the Cross Garden in spring 2008 with a loop pathway and since then several Eagle Scout projects have been completed to add landscaping, enhanced drainage and benches.

A senior at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, NC, Eric is a member of the Cardinal Gibbons Varsity Lacrosse Team, officer in the Lancer Club and a member of the Varsity Men’s Swimming and Diving team.  Upon graduation in May, Eric will attend East Carolina University where he will study Construction Management and participate in the Army ROTC program.