Three Hurlburt teens make Eagle Scout

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lauren Johnson
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  It's an accomplishment made by less than five percent of Boy Scouts.

Saturday, three young men from the Hurlburt community achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Bobby DiFronzo, son of Col. Vincent DiFronzo, 505th Command Control Wing commander; Glen Foote, son of Ron Foote, Air Force Special Operations Forces; and David Carstens of Fort Walton Beach were honored at a ceremony at St. Peters Church in Mary Esther.

All three Eagle Scouts are with Troop 509.

"We're really proud of him because it shows a lot of discipline and a lot of drive," Colonel DiFronzo said of his son.

Mr. Foote also expressed pride in his son's accomplishment.

"I think it's just outstanding that he stuck with it and did it," he said.

In order to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, candidates must prove themselves leaders in their troops and communities, and complete a service project that benefits the greater community and attain 21 merit badges, ranging from environmental science to camping and first aid.

According to Bill Britt, scout master for Troop 509, the values of scouting directly align with the values of the Air Force.

"We stress discipline and leadership," he said.

Mr. Britt said that all of the qualities in the Boy Scout Law are qualities that make a good servicemember.

Troop 509 has a long legacy of cultivating youth leaders in the local area. According to Mr. Britt, the troop has been aligned with Hurlburt Field since 1958 and is currently sponsored by the base's Top 3. Troop members do not have to be military dependents.

Mr. Britt also highlighted other programs available for young men and women, including Venturing, a development program associated with the Boy Scouts of America open to youths ages 14-20.

All three of Saturday's honorees are Brotherhood members of the Order of the Arrow, a national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America.

"Both organizations deal with youth leadership and moral aspects of becoming young adults," Mr. Britt said.

In Troop 509's long history, Saturday marked the first time three of the troop's members have reached Eagle Scout at the same time, Colonel DiFronzo said.

"They're a good group of boys," Mr. Britt said.

The new Eagle Scouts received congratulations letters from President George W. Bush, Lt. Gen. Mike Wooley, Air Force Special Operations Command commander; Gen. John Corley, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force; Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Florida Congressman Ron Miller.

Fort Walton Beach Mayor Mike Anderson; Col. Norman Brozenick, Jr., 1st Special Operations Wing Commander, and Master Sgt. Charles Collins, Top 3 president, attended the ceremony.

For more information on scouting programs, visit www.troop509.org or call scoutmaster Bill Britt at 830-5305.