CHINA — Samuel K. Maroon of Troop 479, China, recently celebrated his completion of the rank of Eagle Scout at China Baptist Church.

Friends, family members, elected officials and other Scouts gathered together to honor Maroon for earning his wings — the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.

Maroon and his family chose the Eagle Scout ceremony and invited other members of Troop 479 to take part in this celebration. Charles Matthews, Kennebec Valley District chairperson, gave the call to order.

Senior Patrol Leader Dillon Clifford opened the ceremony and introduced the Rev. Ron Morrell for the invocation. Maroon started the Eagle ceremony by lighting the spirit candle representing the spirit of Scouting.

Scouts Jason Goggin and James Eastup lit candles as a description of each part of the Scout law was given. Scouts and others who participated in the ceremony included Chase Drummond, Mason Faucher, Connor Pillsbury, Alex Collin, Teagan Casey, Caleb Fletcher and Galen Brackett.

Scoutmaster Scott Adams of Troop 479 served as chairman of this court of honor. Adams then introduced Scout Justin Stewart as the Voice of the Eagle. The candles were lit by Jason Goggin and James Eastup as each rank was introduced. Scouts who read rank advancements were Chase Drummond, Mason Faucher, Connor Pillsbury, Alex Collins, Teagan Casey and Caleb Fletcher. Scout Justin Stewart welcomed Maroon to the highest and most coveted rank in Scouting.

Adams then asked Brackett to step forward to give the Scout Challenge. Scout Arron Keller was introduced to give the Eagle Pledge to Eagle Candidate Samuel Kevin Maroon. Maroon was asked to rededicate himself to the Scout oath. The Eagle badge was presented to Maroon’s parents to pin on his uniform.

A miniature Eagle badge was given to Maroon to pin on his mother. An Eagle neckerchief was given to his father to place around the neck of his son. Scout Steven Fletcher gave the Eagle Charge to Maroon. Assistant Scoutmaster Kelly Pillsbury asked Maroon to advance his name on the board of Eagle rank. She invited all Eagle Scouts to stand and introduce themselves and state the year they made Eagle Scout. Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Emery introduced the special guests.

State Sen. Libby Mitchell and Rep. David Cotta presented Senate and House legislative sentiments. Other sentiments were presented by Daniel L’Heureux, China’s town manager; Charles Matthews, Kennebec Valley District chairman; and Luann Chesley, Kennebec Valley Advancement chairperson.

Letters of sentiment were received from President Bush, Vice President Cheney, U.S. Sens. Snowe and Collins, as well as many others. Maroon recognized all those who helped him to reach the Eagle Rank, all the guests who attended the ceremony and all the Scouts who helped with the ceremony. He also presented the Eagle Scout mentor pin to Priscilla Adams.

Maroon’s service project was to collect at least 100 books on cassette and create a lending library complete with card catalogue and shelves to hold the cassettes for Lakewood Manor Continuing Care Center in Waterville.

Maroon is the son of Kevin and Sue Maroon of China and is a senior at Erskine Academy.