FORT MYERS, Fla. — An 88-year-old southwest Florida man was honored as an Eagle Scout on Saturday, decades after he finished the requirements to earn the rank.
Walter Hart never collected his Eagle Award as a young man because his service in World War II got in the way. Scout officials say he may be the oldest person to ever earn the honor.
"It means a lot to me," said Hart, who lives in a retirement center in nearby Lehigh Acres. "I've been looking forward to this for a long time."
Hart joined the Cub Scouts in 1928 in Malden, Mass., and earned 23 merit badges during his years as a Boy Scout where he earned ranks of Star and Life, scouting officials said. Of the 120 merit badges available, 21 must be earned to qualify for Eagle.
Hart joined the Navy in 1943 and served for two years aboard the USS Alfred A. Cunningham, preventing him from getting his award. But Hart found some of his old Boy Scout memorabilia last year, including documents that showed he completed the requirements for his Eagle Scout rank. He contacted the scouts about receiving his award. Full Story MagazineLane.com
Walter Hart never collected his Eagle Award as a young man because his service in World War II got in the way. Scout officials say he may be the oldest person to ever earn the honor.
"It means a lot to me," said Hart, who lives in a retirement center in nearby Lehigh Acres. "I've been looking forward to this for a long time."
Hart joined the Cub Scouts in 1928 in Malden, Mass., and earned 23 merit badges during his years as a Boy Scout where he earned ranks of Star and Life, scouting officials said. Of the 120 merit badges available, 21 must be earned to qualify for Eagle.
Hart joined the Navy in 1943 and served for two years aboard the USS Alfred A. Cunningham, preventing him from getting his award. But Hart found some of his old Boy Scout memorabilia last year, including documents that showed he completed the requirements for his Eagle Scout rank. He contacted the scouts about receiving his award. Full Story MagazineLane.com
