Some 31 Eagle Scouts, their family members and friends met at the Scotland County courthouse Sunday to mark the centennial anniversary of scouting.
Originally scheduled to be held on the front steps of the building, the event was moved inside due to the weather.
The Hon. Craig B. Ellis of Laurinburg, an executive board member of the Cape Fear Council of the Boy Scouts of America, presided at the event.
"I am delighted to be here," he told the assembly after all took their seats. "I have been a scout since I was nine, and I'm 69 now. I've enjoyed every minute of it."
Following an invocation by Frank Buie and the recitation of the pledge of allegiance, the Scout Oath and the Scout Law, Ellis reflected on the relevancy of scouting in one's personal development.
"Eagle Scouts all know that scouting is a way of life," Ellis said. "Our organization has a rich history, a thriving, vital program today, and a vision and mission that will carry us into the future. Hitting the hundred year mark is a great achievement for many reasons, but the one that is most telling is the one that is perhaps the most obvious: we're doing something right."
Ellis cited the principles of leadership, character, service, integrity, love of God and country, environmental stewardship and achievement as scouting attributes, adding that these principles were founded a century ago.
"Our nation needs, and will always need, thoughtful, responsible leaders to guide our communities and help young people and families who are grappling with hunger, poverty, and poor health," Ellis said. "Scouts are those leaders ... America needs the Boy Scouts."
Ellis then invited Eagle Scouts in the audience to stand and share with the group the year and the place they received their Eagle badges.
Dr. Jim McQueen of Laurinburg, a member of Troop 447 who received his Eagle Scout badge in 1958, was one of those in attendance.
"I didn't know what to expect, but I had a very good time at the ceremony," McQueen said. "I had no idea there were that many Eagles in the area."
McQueen, who earned his badge under Scoutmaster Mac Guest, said the criteria was different when he was a teenager.
"We had to acquire 21 merit badges, and then go before a board of review to become an Eagle Scout," he said. "We were not required to do a project as they are now."
Following a testimonial by Eagle Scout Mark Pracht of Troop 447, an Eagle Scout rededication ceremony was led by David Harling, the committee chairman of Troop 420.
"Remember back to the day you had that Eagle Scout badge pinned on your scout uniform and you were given a challenge to always live your life by the Scout Oath and the Scout Law," he said.
"That day you also took an oath of service to others, and you promised to give back to your community and give back to the Boy Scouts of America. Today, I challenge you to 'search your heart' and ask yourself if you are faithfully keeping those promises you made when you became an Eagle Scout."
Harling then asked the assembly to stand.
"In every life there is a moment, a defining moment, that changes your life forever. This can be that moment. Please join me in rededicating yourself to the mission and purpose of the Boy Scouts of America (and) act to insure that the message of scouting endures for years to come."
The group then raised their right hand in the Scout sign and joined Harling in repeating the oath:
On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country;
To obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
"The words of the oath are simple, but they truly are words to live by," Ellis said. "Let (today's gathering) be a 'call to action' for each of us as Eagle Scouts. Let us remember our promise to serve others and to give back to the next generation of young men what scouting gave to us.
"In 1910, we never could have imagined the Internet, personal cell phones with built in cameras, Xboxes or iPods," Ellis said. "But no matter how times change, the values of the Boy Scouts of America remain the same."
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