Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: McQuade, Glassbrenner, Quicker, Weiers, Kulp, Morrow, Armstrong, Ford, Williams, RedCloud
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/12/2011
Neillsville’s McQuade Earns Scout Award (24 March 2019)
By Ryan Spoehr
During a ceremony at the United Church of Christ of Neillsville, local resident Logan McQuade received the honor of becoming an Eagle Scout.
Logan McQuade receives a special pin for his uniform from his Mom, Julie, for becoming an Eagle Scout. Ryan Spoehr/Clark County Press
The title of Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients have to be active in their troops, teams, crews or ships for at least six months after achieving the rank of Life Scout. They also have to demonstrate that they live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily lives. Recommendations are also required from community members, including parents or guardians, religious and educational leaders and employers.
Twenty-one merit badges also need to be earned, including in first aid, citizenship in the community, citizenship in the nation, citizenship in the world, communication, cooking, personal fitness, emergency preparedness or lifesaving, environmental science or sustainability. McQuade earned a total of 31 merit badges.
Logan McQuade speaks before a crowd at United Church of Christ in Neillsville after becoming an Eagle Scout. Ryan Spoehr/Clark County Press
“They teach you a lot of skills that you need in life, so I’m very glad to have completed all those merit badges,” McQuade said at the March 24 ceremony.
McQuade has done community activities such as volunteering at the food pantry and his family’s church.
He said he had a lot of great memories of his time as a scout.
“Popcorn sales – that has been a great inspiration and it taught me good business skills and I believe I will use those skills in the future,” McQuade said. “Camp at Camp Phillips – that was always a good time,” McQuade said.
There were several members from the community who were in attendance, including Mayor Chuck Glassbrenner, alderperson Jerry Quicker and alderperson and Rev. Joe Weiers, Rep. Bob Kulp (R-Stratford) was also in attendance.
Judy Morrow, who is active in many groups, including the Boy and Girl Scouts, recalled when McQuade first attended scout meetings with his dad, who has since passed on.
“He was active in the troop. He memorized the Scout Oath and Law and he practiced it in his everyday life,” Morrow said.
Morrow said he also earned the rank of Frist Class Scout and helped with a campout among various other activities, including demonstrating first-aid skills.
She added that he earned other rankings as well, including activities that required time in leadership positions. He also earned several merit badges.
Prior to leading in a prayer in congratulations to McQuade, Weiers lauded McQuade’s work ethic and accomplishments.
“There were times along the way I’m sure you were wondering if you’d ever meet this, you did a great job,” Weiers said. “I know they don’t give out these Eagle Scout honors to just anybody, so congratulations.”
“It’s an exciting day for the community, family and really the state, and I am her on behalf of the legislature for the state. This is a big deal,” Kulp said.
Kulp said about 2.3 million people have earned the Eagle Scout achievement.
“So, it’s a very, very small percentage out of 500 million possible,” Kulp said.
Kulp told McQuade that he joins the ranks of people such as astronaut Neil Armstrong and President Gerald Ford who also earned the Eagle Scout title.
Kulp said he has an Eagle Scout on his staff.
“One of the reasons I hired him was he was an Eagle Scout. I knew that meant something. Be proud of that and I’m greatly awed by your accomplishments,” Kulp said.
Kulp read a resolution by the state legislature commending the honor McQuade earned.
Joe Williams, a member of the Mitchell RedCloud Detachment of the Marine Corps League, also shared remarks.
Williams is also an Eagle Scout and is based in Jackson County.
“I’ve been hiring people. I’ve either been owning a business or running a business for 40-some years now. I will always take an Eagle Scout over a non-Eagle Scout, if it’s on an application,” Williams said. “If you go on to the military, the military looks on it as a benefit too. They will generally look on it well too. Being an Eagle Scout is generally looked at as the equivalent of one year of military service.”
There was a potluck and a chance to personally congratulate McQuade after the ceremony.
