At 88, Florida man is finally an Eagle Scout

The Seattle Times ^ | Sunday, July 29, 2007 | Associated Press

[indcons]

FORT MYERS, Fla.: Decades after he finished the requirements to earn the rank, an 88-year-old man was honored as an Eagle Scout on Saturday, making him possibly the oldest person to ever collect the honor.

Walter Hart couldn't become an Eagle Scout at the time he earned the rank because his service in World War II got in the way.

"I've been looking forward to this for a long time," said Hart, who lives in a retirement center in nearby Lehigh Acres.

Scout officials say he may be the oldest person to earn the honor.

Hart joined the Cub Scouts in 1928 in Malden, Mass., and earned 23 merit badges during his years as a Boy Scout, scouting officials said. Of the 120 merit badges available, 21 must be earned to qualify for Eagle Scout rank.

It all got set aside when he joined the Navy during World War II and served two years aboard the USS Alfred A. Cunningham.

[indcons]

Walter Hart, in his old Scout uniform, made Eagle Scout recently. "I've been looking forward to this for a long time," he said.

[RichInOC]

"Don't give up. Don't ever give up."

--Jimmy Valvano

[Joe Brower]

Florida Freeper

[cblue55]

God Love You Walter! You’re awesome!

[Millee]

How sweet! Kudos to you, Mr. Hart!

[Tax-chick]

Wow, look at those OLD Merit Badges!

Great job, Walter, and thank you for serving!

[shove_it]

Excellent post!! And thx for the ping Joe.

Scoutmaster: “Those biscuits look like charcoal, son.”

Scout: “That’s the way I like ‘em, sir.”

[lowbridge]

bump

[kenth]

Good for him!

May God bless all the Scouts. I recently had a bit of car trouble. Guess who stopped to see if he could help? An Eagle Scout of course.

[lowbridge]

Okay! All Cubbies! Front And Center! Cub Scout Salute!

[scottteng]

one for the list

BTW that is not his old scout uniform that is a modern uniform with a vintage sash.

[SandRat]

I noticed that and the fact that it is stil one size too small.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Doing his best to do his duty to God and his country.

Scout Oath (or Promise)

On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

[NonValueAdded]

:)

[StarCMC]

Ping.

[Old Sarge]

Thanks, Star, and pining a few Scouters on our end!

Look at the old badges! Even OURS aren’t that old!

[Grizzled Bear]

One of my biggest regrets is that I was never a boy scout.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Congratulations, Walter Hart, on receiving your Eagle Scout award.

[Greg F]

Good for you Walter.

[Fresh Wind]