NORTH CANAAN — Dec. 7 is not normally a day of celebration in the United States; it’s more traditionally a day to remember the attacks on Pearl Harbor that brought the nation into World War II.
But last Saturday, there was reason for cheer. Michael Hanlon Jr. had become an Eagle Scout, a promotion achieved by only about 2% of all Boy Scouts.
Hanlon joined the Scouts in first grade. When asked what motivated him to join, he said,
“All the activities I had heard of, and all the friendships that I could and did make.”
He enjoyed going to Scout summer camp every year, winning the top scout award one year. He enjoyed marching in the Memorial Day parade in North Canaan every year.
In 2013 he became a Boy Scout and rose through the ranks from there, first achieving the rank of assistant senior patrol leader, then senior patrol leader
To reach the Eagle Scout ranking, he first had to earn 21 merit badges. He was not satisfied there — he went on to get 15 more, for a grand total of 36, which earned him all three Eagle Palms. The palms are ranked as bronze, gold, and silver; each rank was earned with five merit badges after the initial 21.
The last requirement was to complete a project in the community. Hanlon chose to restore the Falls Village welcome center. He chose this because “I grew up in Falls Village and spent a lot of time there and thought that it could use some improvements visually.”
Improve it visually is exactly what Hanlon did. He organized the entire restoration and was helped with the work by the rest of Scout Troop 22 and their families. They replanted and mulched all the bushes, planted additional trees and painted the benches outside.
He officially was named an Eagle Scout in October; the ceremony was held at the Couch-Pipa VFW headquarters in North Canaan on Dec. 7.
Becoming an Eagle Scout is an achievement that takes many years of hard work. When asked how it felt, Hanlon said, “It’s a great feeling, but it’s also a huge relief of pressure. This was a very long process. But I’m also excited because this will open doors for me.”
Hanlon will no doubt remember Pearl Harbor and the sadness of that day and the sacrifices made. But he will also remember it as a day when good things can happen as well.
Pay Bill for Robin Starr’s service in the Continental Army.Courtesy the Alex Breanne Corporation
John Mills speaking at Quinnipiac University.Courtesy the Alex Breanne Corporation
Stephanie Saetta,with her rescue dog George and Blue (left), a shepherd mix awaiting his forever home.Madi Long
Blue, a 7 year-old Shepard mix, is waiting for his forever home. Madi Long
