The Eagle rank was first awarded in 1912 and represents a ten year commitment on the part of the Scout. Some other recipients have included Neil Armstrong and 10 of the 11 other astronauts to walk on the moon, Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, President Gerald Ford, Secretaries of Defense Robert Gates and Donald Rumsfeld, Film Director Stephen Spielberg and Marriott CEO J.W. Marriott. Each Scout must perform a community service project as a final test. John and his fellow scouts restored an overgrown Revolutionary War graveyard in Hoosick Falls with help from many donors of materials and services including Paulson Wood Products, Curtis Lumber and Hoosick Falls Monumental Works.
