Published on May 21, 2024
This Saturday, May 25th, Gannon Ziegler, a junior at Warwick High School, will be formally recognized for earning the rank of Eagle Scout. This accomplishment is earned by only 1 in every 100 boys who enter the Boy Scouts and must be completed before their 18th birthday.
Gannon began his Scouting career in Cub Scouts with Pack 44 in Lititz, then crossed over to Troop 44 Boy Scouts in Lititz at the age of 12. During his time in the troop, Gannon earned a total of 27 merit badges, including badges like First Aid, Cooking, Communications, Shooting, Engineering, Graphic Arts, and more. Due to the amount of merit badges earned, Gannon has also received the additional accomplishment of an Eagle Palm (recognition for accomplishments beyond the requirements for the Eagle rank).
Additionally, during his time in the troop, he has held a variety of leadership roles including Patrol Leader, Chaplains Aid, and Troop Guide, a position designed and geared specifically toward encouraging older Scouts to find their leadership qualities by challenging them with leading the brand-new Scouts entering the troop from Cubs. Gannon also attended the National Youth Leadership Training course to better prepare him for these leadership roles.
The largest accomplishment for any Eagle Scout is the Eagle Project. This is a project where the Scout must design and accomplish something that will benefit their community and others. Gannon’s project was called, ‘Dignity Beyond Death,’ where he spent many hours refurbishing gravestones located in the Machpelah cemetery on Broad Street in Lititz. He was inspired to pursue this project after participating in Wreaths Across America for a number of years. The Wreaths Across America program allows for community members to place wreaths on the graves of soldiers laid to rest at the Fort Indiantown Gap. Gannon’s project involved obtaining a safe cleaning agent and safe cleaning tools that would allow the volunteers to return the stones to their original beauty. In total, the project was responsible for the refurbishing of 227 headstones. Gannon dedicated 267 hours of time to the planning and implementation of the project. During the work days, 15 volunteers joined Gannon to clean the gravestones and bring the project to completion.
Congratulations, Gannon!