Eagle Scout
Court of Honor

CEREMONY SCRIPT
ANSHUL CHIRAYATH
Troop 1776  •  May 16, 2026

1. Opening — Posting of the Colors

The American Flag bearer crosses IN FRONT of the Troop flag.

VIJAY (MC): Color Guard, attention. Audience, attention.

VIJAY: Will the audience please rise?

VIJAY: Color Guard, forward march. Halt.

at flag pedestals

VIJAY: Color Guard, post the colors. Scouts, salute.

hold for the salute  ·  Color Guard salutes

VIJAY: Two.

Pledge of Allegiance

VIJAY: Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ALL: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Scout Oath

VIJAY: Please join me in the Scout Oath. Scout sign.

ALL: “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.”

Scout Law

VIJAY: Please join me in the Scout Law. Scout sign.

ALL: “A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.”

VIJAY: Two. Color Guard, reform. Color Guard, retreat.

VIJAY: Color Guard, dismissed. Please be seated.

2. Welcome & Candle Lighting

VIJAY: Hello everyone, and welcome to our Eagle Court of Honor for Troop 1776. My name is Vijay, and I will be your Master of Ceremonies this afternoon.

The Eagle's Trail — Rank Candle Lighting

VIJAY: We will begin by lighting the candles. As I call each rank, will all Scouts currently holding that rank please come forward to light a candle.

Call ranks one at a time, beginning with Eagle and working down. Each Scout lights the candle for their rank and remains standing at the candelabra until released.

VIJAY: Thank you.

Significance of the Eagle Rank

VIJAY: Awarding the Eagle Badge of Rank is an important and serious matter. It is the goal toward which this Scout has been working for many years and is the culmination of effort by their parents and Scout leaders.

Introduction of the District Official

VIJAY: We will give recognition to a member of Troop 1776 today. Let me introduce Alec Hurd, our District Official, who will open and close today's ceremony.

Hand off to Alec

ALEC: Unlike other Courts of Honor, an Eagle Court is unique because it can only be convened by the authority of the National Council…

Alec's full opening remarks. 2–4 minutes.

VIJAY: Thank you, Alec.

Calling the Eagle Scout Forward

VIJAY: Will Anshul please stand and come forward.

Anshul stands and moves to the front

Introduction of the Scoutmaster

VIJAY: Let me now introduce Ken Nicholson, our Ship's Skipper and Scoutmaster, who will deliver the Eagle Charge and present the Eagle Scout Award.

Hand off to Ken Nicholson

3. The Eagle Charge & Presentation of Rank

KEN: The Eagle Rank represents proficiency in all Scouting skills, and is only attained by about two percent of all youth in Scouting. It represents a great deal of teamwork as a member and leader of a Troop. You have demonstrated, by living the Scout Oath and Law, an effort to perpetuate the Scouting spirit.

It also represents years of hard work, strength of character, and persistence — and, more importantly, it is indicative of what lies in the future as a Scout grows into an adult. The Eagle Rank testifies that a Scout has an understanding of his community and his nation, and a willingness to become involved.

As an Eagle, your position is one of honor and responsibility. You are expected to exemplify, in your daily life, the high principles and values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. You have assumed a solemn obligation to do your duty to your faith, to your country, to your fellow Scouts, and to all other human beings. This is a great undertaking which you are now just beginning. As you live up to your obligations, you bring honor to yourself and to your fellow Scouts.

As an Eagle Scout, you will be a champion to other Scouts and an example to your community. Remember — your actions will be more conspicuous. People will expect more of you. It is your responsibility to help maintain the high regard that all Americans have for Eagle Scouts. To falter would bring discredit, not only to you, but to your fellow Eagles. Keep your ideals high and your honor bright.

Your responsibilities, however, go beyond your fellow Scouts. They extend to your country and to your faith. America has many good things to give to you, and to give your children after you — but these good things depend, for the most part, on the quality of her citizens. Our country has had a great past. You can help make the future even greater.

I challenge you to undertake your citizenship with solemn dedication. Be a leader — but lead only toward the best. Lift up every task you do, and every office you hold, with a high level of service to your fellow human beings. Live and serve so that those who know you will be inspired to the highest ideals of life.

I challenge you to be among those who dedicate their hearts, hands, and minds to the common good. Build America on the solid foundations of clean living, honest work, unselfish citizenship, and reverence to God. Then, whatever others may do, you will leave behind you a record of which you may be justly proud.

Are you willing to accept these obligations, responsibilities, and the honor of the Eagle Scout Badge?

ANSHUL: I am.

KEN: Anshul — you have been deemed worthy of the highest rank in Scouting. You presented a record of merit badges earned and leadership roles in Troop 1776. You conducted an Eagle service project that demonstrated your capacity and willingness to exert leadership in activities that are constructive and worthwhile.

As a result, the Golden Gate District Eagle Board of Review found you qualified, and has authorized this Court of Honor to bestow upon you the rank of Eagle. Remember your obligations of Honor, Loyalty, Courage, Responsibility, and Service. Our heartfelt congratulations to you on this very, very special occasion, and our sincere hope is that you may always wear your Eagle Badge with dignity and pride.

Presentation of the Awards

Scoutmaster presents the Eagle medal — pinned by mother.

Scoutmaster presents the Eagle neckerchief and slide.

Scoutmaster presents the Eagle mentor pin — Scout pins on chosen mentor.

Scoutmaster presents the Eagle parent pins — Scout pins on parents.

Eagle certificate is read aloud (signed by the Chief Scout Executive and the President of the United States).

Scoutmaster shakes the Scout's LEFT hand and the parents' RIGHT hand.

Scoutmaster invites Anshul to raise their candle from the Life rank to the Eagle rank.

Hand off to Vijay

4. Reflections & Tributes

Introduction of the Eagle Mentor

VIJAY: Let me now introduce Dan Trimble, who guided Anshul through his Eagle service project.

Hand off to Dan Trimble

DAN: Brief introduction, then invites Anshul to share the key points of his Eagle Project.

Hand microphone to Anshul for a short project description (2–3 minutes).

Family & Friends Speeches

VIJAY: We'd like to invite a few special people forward to share a few words.

MC's Closing Reflection on the Scout

VIJAY: Anshul — we are all very proud of the accomplishments that have brought us to this day. Let us remind you that the tradition of the Eagle is high. May the Eagle badge that you have received be symbolic of this spirit of Scouting.

5. Closing of the Ceremony

Once all other comments have wound down…

VIJAY: I'd like to invite Alec back up to close the ceremony.

Hand off to Alec

ALEC: Closing remarks. 1–2 minutes.

Extinguishing the Rank Candles

VIJAY: We will conclude by extinguishing the candles and retiring the colors.

VIJAY: As I call each rank, will all Scouts currently holding that rank please come forward to extinguish their candle. Eagle, first.

VIJAY: Thank you.

Retirement of the Colors

VIJAY: Will the audience please rise?

VIJAY: Color Guard, advance.

VIJAY: Color Guard, retrieve the colors. Scouts, salute.

hold for the salute

VIJAY: Two.

VIJAY: Color Guard, dismissed.

Invitation to the Reception

VIJAY: Audience — please feel free to get cake and refreshments. You are welcome to take a look around at the mementos of Anshul's journey — uniforms, merit badges, photos, and the Eagle project display.

Thank you all for joining us, and thank you for celebrating with Anshul today.

— END OF CEREMONY —
“Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.”