Mayor’s Column: Local Eagle Scout honored for Battleship NJ project
On June 2, I was privileged to attend the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Blake Burnett of Voorhees. The ceremony occurred on the USS Battleship New Jersey, America’s most decorated battleship.
Blake joined the Boy Scouts of America in September 2000, starting as a Cub Scout in Pack 127. He rose through the ranks and joined Boy Scout Troop 54 in April of 2005.
Blake has earned a total of 43 merit badges in categories such as camping, community citizenship, computers, emergency preparedness, environmental science, first aid, personal fitness, sports, traffic safety, weather and wilderness survival. In Troop 54, he attained such leadership positions as troop guide, quartermaster, senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, junior assistant scoutmaster and assistant scoutmaster.
Last year was the centennial year of the Eagle Scout Award. From 1912 through 2012, more than 2 million Boy Scouts earned the Eagle Scout rank. Approximately 7 percent of all Boy Scouts earned the Eagle Scout rank in 2012 at an average age of 17.
Blake’s Eagle Scout project was the refurbishing of an 18-foot parade model of the Battleship New Jersey for the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial. The model was displayed in the recent annual Kirkwood Memorial Day Parade.
Blake is the third member of the Burnett Family to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, joining his brothers James and Dennis. Blake was presented with a commendation recognizing his accomplishment on behalf of the Voorhees Township Committee.
Congratulations to Blake and his family!
** The Farmer’s Market at the Voorhees Town Center is open from 8 a.m. until noon every Saturday rain or shine through Oct. 5. Vendors include Duffield’s, Fruitwood, Bellview Winery and more, supplying Jersey Fresh and locally grown produce, meats, cheeses, wines and more.
** The first show in our annual Summer Twilight Series will be Thursday, June 13 (rain date June 14) and will feature the sounds of Dr. K’s Motown Revue. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Connolly Park and is free.
