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Staff Reports – Britt Brinson

Cordele Boy Scout Troop 270 held an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Wesley Fletcher on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at High Hill Baptist Church in Turner County.  Wesley is the son of Beth and Jody Flether of Ashburn.  He is the grandson of Vickie and Jerry Gunn of Ashburn, Joanna and Wayne Fletcher of Albany, and Debra and David Kendrick of Tifton.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Simon Baker opened the ceremony by asking the audience to stand for the  presentation of the colors and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.  He had the Color Guard post the colors on either side of the altar.  He then invited the Reverend Jerry Cooper, former pastor of High Hill Baptist to deliver the invocation, before introducing Charter Organization Representative David Wade as the Master of Ceremonies.

MoC Wade delivered opening remarks before introducing Troop Committee Chair Terry Fennell, who declared the Court of Honor “Opened.”  Wade then introduced Scoutmaster John Frost, who outlined Wesley’s long trail to the rank of Eagle Scout.  He was assisted in this endeavor by Troop 270 Boy Scouts Landon Atkins, Jacob Frost, and Cody Ngo, Sara Frost from Troop 13 in Albany, and Jake Atkins from Cordele Cub Scout Pack 270.  Scoutmaster Frost ended this portion of the ceremony talking about Wesley’s Eagle Scout Project, a flag retirement drop box that sets in front of the Cordele Boy Scout Hut.

MoC Wade then introduced Troop 270 Assistant Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout Britt Brinson, who described Wesley’s Eagle Scout Board of Review process, before giving the Eagle Scout Charge to Wesley and other Eagle Scouts in attendance, to which they pledged their “sacred honor.”

Wade then had Scoutmaster Frost come back up to present the Eagle Scout Award to Wesley, who was joined by his parents.  Frost had Beth Fletcher pin the Eagle Scout medal on her son.  Wesley then presented the Eagle Scout Mom pin to her and the Eagle Scout Dad pin to Jody Fletcher.  Frost then presented Wesley with his Eagle Scout neckerchief and slide.

David Wade then presented Eagle Scout Wesley Fletcher to the assembled crowd and asked him if he’d like to say anything to the crowd.  Wesley thanked everyone who had a part in making him the young man he has become.  He then presented Grandparent pins to each of his grandparents.  He followed that up by presenting Mentor Pins to Scoutmaster Frost, Assistant Scoutmasters Brinson and Wade, and Troop Committee Chair Fennell.

MoC Wade declared the Court of Honor “Closed,” ASPL Baker then asked the Reverend Rodney Brown to deliver the benediction.  Baker brought the program to a close by having the Color Guard retire the colors and invited the attendees to join the family in the church social hall for refreshments.

Wesley Fletcher began his Scouting career with Cordele Cub Scout Pack 270, before crossing over to Cordele Boy Scout Troop 270 in 2017.  During his time with Troop 270, he has earned 34 merit badges and 2 palms.  Palms are awarded for every five merit badges above the 21 required for Eagle.  He is a Brotherhood member of the Withlacoochee Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s National Honor Society.  Wesley also served as Chapter Chief for the Blackwater Chapter of the Withlacoochee Lodge.  He is a 2021 graduate of BSA’s National Youth Leadership Training, a leadership and team-building program delivered at the Council level.

Wesley will graduate from Crisp County High School this spring.  He is considering attending the University of Georgia and Georgia Institute of Technology, among other schools and plans on studying Computer Science.