Gary Meyer
Eagle Scout 

Gary Clayton Meyer was awarded the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, during a Court of Honor on April 22, 2007 at the Apex Community Center in Apex, NC.   Gary is a member of Troop 216 in Cary and is the son of Christopher and Kristin Meyer, also of Cary.   He officially earned the rank of Eagle Scout on February 14, 2007 at the age of 14.  

Gary is Troop 216’s 55th 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 100 people attended the Court of Honor, including fellow scouts, friends, classmates and Gary’s maternal grandparents Paul and Patricia Lennon of Endwell, New York.   Edward Rabenda III, family friend and Eagle Scout with Troop 200, was the Master of Ceremonies. 

The ceremony opened with a presentation of the colors by Cub Scout Pack 216’s Den 5 while Troop 216’s Bugler and Star Scout Jack Kesselring played the National Anthem.   Den 5 was represented by Gary’s brother, Kevin Meyer as well as Danny Beynon, Andrew Savage, Kevin Lewis, and Sambhav Upadhyay.    First Class Scout Nick Davis delivered the invocation.   Eagle Scout Michael Becker outlined the Scout Law and Eagle Scout Christopher Becker described the requirements for each rank along the trail to Eagle.   Gary’s Eagle advisor, Edward Rabenda Jr., and 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 Gary with an engraved pen.  Christopher Meyer, Gary’s father, presented a flag which Senator Richard Burr had flown over the United States Capitol Building in Washington, DC in honor of Gary’s achievement.   In recognition of his achievement, Gary also received a proclamation from town of Cary Mayor Ernie McAlister as well as many letters of commendation from dignitaries and celebrities including President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Condolezza Rice, Bishop Burbidge, and Carolina Hurricanes Coach Peter Laviolette.

Gary began his scouting career in November 1998 as a Tiger Cub with Pack 213 at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church in Cary, where he subsequently earned all of the Cub Scout ranks.   For three consecutive years during his Cub Scout career, Gary sold more than $1000 in the annual Trail’s End Popcorn fundraiser, twice making him the top seller for his pack.  In January 2003, Gary received Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light, and bridged to BSA Troop 216 in January 2003.

The BSA program heavily emphasizes leadership skills, and throughout his career with Troop 216, Gary has held numerous leadership positions, including Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Chaplain’s Aide and Bugler.  In addition, Gary has served for 3 years as the Den Chief for his brother’s Cub Scout Den.  As Den chief, Gary has trained the younger scouts in various camping skills and helped to plan and lead the den’s regular meetings.   In honor of his service to Den 5, Gary received the Den Chief award in November 2006.

Gary’s other scouting honors include election into the Order of the Arrow, a scouting honor organization, in April 2005 and earning the Ad Altare Dei Catholic Religious award in February 2006.   In July 2006, Gary traveled to the Philmont Scout Ranch, a high adventure Boy Scout camp in Cimarron, New Mexico, where he spent 10 days backpacking over 65 miles with several other Troop 216 scouts and leaders.  Gary has completed 30 merit badges and continues to earn more.   In order to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, 21 merit badges must be earned, 12 of which are Eagle required.

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, Gary designed and led fifteen scouts in the construction and installation of four permanent benches at Salem Middle School in Apex, NC.   The benches line the sidewalk leading to the side entrance of the school near the band room and gym.  Students use these benches on a daily basis as they wait for rides home after band or sports practice.

Gary is a tenth grade honor student at Apex High School in Apex, North Carolina.  In August, he will be attending Sea Base, a high adventure Boy Scout camp, in Key West, Florida.