For God and country

By Sharmane Adams  |  The Catholic Compass  |  January/February 2023

When you discover that someone you know has attained the esteemed rank of Eagle Scout, your perception of them immediately changes, and rightfully so. Eagle Scout is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America program. Since its inception in 1911, only 4 percent of all scouts have been able to achieve this rank. Eagle Scouts stand among some of the greatest leaders and achievers our country has ever seen.

Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, was an Eagle Scout. Baseball legend Hank Aaron and famous filmmaker Steven Spielberg, also achieved this illustrious rank. Many Eagle Scouts have gone on to become successful mayors, state governors, members of congress, White House cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, CEOs, scientists, doctors, surgeons, pilots, artists, musicians, filmmakers, military heroes, astronauts, authors and even Nobel Prize winners.

The rank of Eagle Scout certainly commands respect. However, a recently declared Eagle Scout, Julian Morthier, is not focused on fame and glory but on simply making a difference in his local community and serving his parish at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Monticello. Julian began his journey as a scout in grade school with Troop 118, associated with Trinity Catholic School in Tallahassee. He is now a junior at St. John Paul II Catholic High School.

Julian has loved his time in the scouts and has learned many valuable skills, from outdoor survival to basic skills like cooking. “I’ve learned how to be a leader and how to work together as a team. I’ve made lifelong friendships and have had the best adventures,” he said. Julian canoed over 50 miles from northern Minnesota into Canada, lived on a sailboat for a week in the Florida Keys and earned an impressive total of 96 merit badges — more than double the average number of merit badges that most scouts earn. “Scouts has helped to shape me into the person I am,” Julian shared. “It’s taught me responsibility and leadership.”

While scouts has been an undeniable blessing in Julian’s life, it’s clear that his faith in Christ has been at the heart of that journey. “A scout is reverent,” Julian explained, referring to the 12th principle of the scout law, which reads, “Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties.” At the end of their meetings, Julian’s troop maintains the tradition of standing in a circle, joining hands and praying together. Julian also completed the requirements for several religious medals, the Light of Christ, the Parvuli Dei and the Ad Altare Dei. These honors are coordinated by the National Catholic Committee on scouting and are awarded to scouts for completing activities in partnership with their parishes. 

Julian explained that his decision to complete his Eagle Scout service project at his parish demonstrated his love and appreciation for the Church. “My church has always been a part of my life,” said Julian. “St. Margaret’s is where I was baptized when I was only a few weeks old. The parishioners are like an extended family to me.” Julian became an altar server after receiving his first communion. He has also served as a lector, and he’s played leading roles in his church’s Christmas and passion plays.

“When it came time to choose a project, there was no question in my mind — I wanted to give something back to the parish that’s been there for me my entire life,” Julian affirms. He met with the parish council at St. Margaret, and they discussed a few project ideas before deciding that Julian, along with his fellow scouts and parish volunteers, would construct a solar-lit 25-foot flagpole on St. Margaret, property to display both the American flag and the Papal flag. “It was important for me to include the Papal flag,” said Julian. “The flags show the love of our country and our Church.”

The installation was successfully completed on July 9, 2022. Surrounding the new flagpole is a 100-square-foot section for engraved memorial pavers. These pavers not only provided 
an opportunity for parish families to honor a loved one, but generous donations and the sale of the pavers provided funding for the project. Julian was able to raise over $3,500. “I am proud of my team and how we worked together,” said Julian. “I love seeing people gathered around the flagpole to look at the dedication bricks. It really is a wonderful way to remember our loved ones — past and present.” Julian was formally recognized as an Eagle Scout at his Court of Honor on November 12, 2022.