- November 14, 2024
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Boy Scout District Director Halvern Johnson watches as the Color Guard from Palm Coast troops 281 and 402 wait to post the colors at the Golden Eagle Dinner. Photo by Jacque Estes
Michael Mercado and his mother, Sharla, drove from DeLand, so Michael could once again speak to those attending the Flagler County Boy Scout Golden Eagle Dinner. Photo by Jacque Estes
Michael Chiumento III was this year's dinner chairman at the Golden Eagle Dinner. Photo by Jacque Estes
The diners at The Hammock Dunes Club restaurant all had one thing in common on Wednesday, April 6 – they all had been involved in scouting, specifically the Boy Scouts.
This year's Flagler County 2016 Boy Scout Golden Eagle Dinner honoree was Mike Chiumento, a local attorney, and an active member of many Flagler and Volusia organizations. His son, Michael Chiumento III was the dinner chairman. When the fund raising evening was over, $26,263 had been raised.
For Bob Cuff, another local attorney, the Flagler County Golden Eagle dinner is an annual tradition, even though he was never a Boy Scout.
“I grew up in a small town in southwestern Massachusetts, and there wasn't a Boy Scout Troop,” he said. “For some reason the Girl Scouts ruled the place; it must have been the cookies.”
One of the first Golden Eagle Dinners he recalled attending was in the late 1980s or early 1990s. The honoree on that night was Jim Guines, and it was held at the Sheraton Hotel.
“The thing I love about this dinner is the Scouts they bring,” Cuff said. “I don't know where they found the Scout who gives the presentation, but when this kid grows up, he's going to be the President of the United States. He sounds like he's the CEO of a large corporation when he starts talking about all of the activities.”
Michael Mercado, the Scout Cuff described, was speaking at the dinner for the second time. Cub Scouts are asked to make the speeches, to emphasize how the program affects youth in a positive way.
When Michael was asked what level of Scout he was, his eyes turned to his mother, Sharla, who reminded him that “trustworthy” was part of the Boy Scout law.
“I'm undercover as a Cub Scout,” Michael admitted. “I am actually a Scout rank. I crossed over from Webelos to Boy Scouts in February.”
Michael lived up to Cuff's description. He described how he became involved in scouting, and how important it was for all boys to have the opportunity to be a Boy Scout. His speech was filled with humor, and he kept his audience's attention throughout.
One of Michael’s favorite things about scouting is camping at Camp LaNoChe in Paisley, Florida. The camp was also School Board Member Trevor Tucker's favorite part of being a Scout.
“It's great to introduce the children to new and exciting things. Most kids don't get to go out camping,” Tucker said. “I think it gives a good moral base to the kids.”
Chiumento III, listed some famous individuals who were Scouts, including Neil Armstrong (Eagle), Steven Spielberg (Eagle), Jimmy Buffet (Life Scout), Martin Luther King Jr. (Boy Scout), and John F. Kennedy (Boy Scout). The majority of the people attending the event, had also been involved in scouting.
“The Scouts make leaders. They are responsible for shaping our communities and developing our leaders for the future,” Chiumento III, said.
