Three generations soar to Scouting’s highest level

As Sally Robertson was sorting through family heirlooms during a visit with her parents, she came across some papers that had great personal value. She discovered information relating to her father’s Eagle Scout ranking in 1942. Although her Dad, Bob Barnes, doesn’t remember much about his Eagle Scout ceremony, he does recall the meaningful activities and honor codes that helped develop his childhood as an active member of the Boy Scouts of America. Throughout his life, Barnes exemplified the “honor of Scouting,” and so impressed his family members that both his son and grandson continued in his footsteps - advancing through the ranks to become Eagle Scouts themselves.

As the Barnes/Robertson families have learned, there is a brotherhood associated with Eagle Scouts that remains forever entrenched in the hearts of those who pursue the rank. Only about 2 percent of all Scouts achieve the Eagle Scout honor. The requirements are demanding, specific and require a connection to fellow Scout leaders and members, parents and guardians, religious personnel, family members, friends and community members. Eagle Scouts must earn a total of 21 merit badges that include such categories as citizenship in the community, nation and world, communication, cooking, personal fitness, emergency preparedness, environmental science, personal management, swimming, hiking or cycling, camping and family life. All three members of the Barnes family earned cycling badges that required 50-mile bike treks.

Eagle Scouts must plan, develop and lead a service project that benefits an organization other than the Boy Scouts of America. The project must receive advance approval and specific requirements must be met. Once the project is completed, the Eagle Scout candidate is required to give a presentation before his 18th birthday to a Scouting review committee. The Eagle Scout ranking is bestowed on the candidates that fulfill all the requirements and promise to continue a leadership and service-oriented path for the rest of their lives.

Jerome Barnes, son of Bob, became an Eagle Scout in 1969. For his project, Jerome made lifesaving equipment for the Clarendon Hills Park District to use for a community pond that was frozen in winter. All those years of camping and preparedness in the great outdoors paid off with a service project that would potentially save lives.

In 2009, Jason Robertson, Bob’s grandson, approached his 18th birthday and opted to become a third generation Eagle Scout after receiving encouragement and support from his Mom, Dad and grandfather. Jason embraced a project to build and design an interpretive ¼-mile nature trail for Long Hunter State Park, a short distance from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. He created 10 descriptive stations along the trail with photos depicting the various wildflowers, trees and land formations located along the route. Trail information also incorporated the use of a map that identified nature in the park. Jason received a grant from the National Environmental Education Foundation to underwrite the cost for supplies.

During Jason’s Eagle Scout recognition ceremony, his grandfather was asked to confer the honor by reading the Eagle Charge:

“I have the honor to give you the Eagle Charge on the occasion of your elevation to the highest rank in Scouting,” Bob Barnes said. “Let me start with a quote from John F. Kennedy who said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”

Barnes cited the responsibilities of being an Eagle Scout and the pride he had for yet another generation accomplishing a great and honorable feat.

For Jason Robertson, Scouting helped to frame his life and ideals. “The fun experiences I had as a Boy Scout – like going to the National and World Scouting Jamborees, led me to pursue a military career as a U.S. Navy sailor so that I could continue to see the world and help others,” he said. I continue to live by the 12 points of the Scout law. A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. I hope, one day, to continue to be involved in Scouting with my son, Isaak.”

The interest in Scouting runs very deep in the Barnes-Robertson families. For three generations, and potentially four, they have made a commitment to lead exemplary lives and serve others – while continuing a bond that will forever keep them close and connected.

Cutline: Jason Robertson, Jerome and Robert Barnes (left to right) share a common bond in following the ideals of Scouting.