Bluebirds help Boy Scout land Eagle

It took eight years, but Ross Diggs finally achieved his aspiration to become an Eagle Scout.

Ross, 15, was awarded the coveted badge Aug. 29 at U.S. Army Forces Command headquarters.

Fewer than two percent of all Scouts achieve the Eagle rank.

"Ross becoming an Eagle Scout is a great accomplishment," said Gene Ingram, institutional head of Venture Crew 65, Ross' Boy Scout troop. "Being an Eagle Scout is a great responsibility."

The greatness of Ross' accomplishment and the accompaning responsibility it carries can be seen in the requirements for the Eagle Badge. Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges and demonstrating Scout Spirit, service and leadership. Scouts also have to complete a service project that they plan, organize, lead and manage. The plan must benefit a community other than the Boy Scouts.

Ross chose to build bluebird houses on Fort McPherson and place them througout the base.

"I like animals and made bluebird houses before, while in Cub Scouts," Ross said.

Ross noticed the post, where his father, Lt. Col Rick Diggs, deputy chief of the Program and Manpower Division for G8, FORSCOM, works, offered few places for the birds to nest.

"They (bluebirds) need houses because they are cavity builders," Ross said. He added that the rotting trees that bluebirds tend to make holes in are often cut down, leaving the birds without nests.

Ross' love and knowledge of animals and wildlife can be seen in his work around post.

"The hole has to be a certain size or else bluebirds' enemies will come in. They are also on poles so animals can't climb in," he said, while showing his work to Col. Deborah Grays, U.S. Army Garrison commander.

All of the houses also have a hinged wall to allow people access to clean them yearly (to prevent diseases) and are set at safe distances, said Ross.

"Bluebirds are timid and shy, so you need to avoid bushes and place them in open spaces at least 300 feet apart from each other," Ross said.

In addition to the building and placing of the houses, Ross also had to write up a plan of action for his project and appear in front of a board of review.

It was a lot of work, Ross said, with the most difficult portion being the write-up.

However, he said he was encouraged by his strong desire to be an Eagle Scout.

Ross' mother, Janell, said Ross' devotion to the Scouts was apparent early.

"Eight years ago, our son, Ross, came home from school excited and wanting to be a Tiger Scout," she said.

Such enthusiasm was instantly seen by Ingram, who founded the Stockbridge Venture Crew 65.

"You watch as they (Boy Scouts) come through and you can tell who is going to do it (get an Eagle)," he said.

It also helps that the troop is known for producing Eagle Scouts, Ingram said.

"We have a long history of Eagles in this troop: 51 in 19 years," he said. "We put on a program to help boys get their Eagle. We don't push them, it's something they need to do and earn. It's like we set the table but don't tell them what to eat."

Even with help, earning an Eagle is quite an accomplishment, said Ingram. He likened it to making sergeant major from a private.

And while Ross has reached the summit of scouting, Rick cautioned his son to be vigilant and adhere to the values and beliefs that helped him reach this goal.

"As a final charge, son, let me remind you that while you have reached the summit of Boy Scout rank, there are more mishaps in mountain climbing after reaching the top than there are on the trail upward," Rick said. "One who achieves the highest goal of scouting should never forget the rigor of training he has endured and the responsibilities of leadership and service that were a part of his success."

Ross said he plans to continue his service by giving back to Troop 65.

"Scouting is a great program. It teaches us to become better men," he said.

While helping his peers become better men, he will also be working on self improvement by gaining his palms. Palms, which come in bronze, silver and gold, represent additional advancement for a Boy Scout who remains active in his troop. Ross said he will be eligible for his first palm in three months.

In those three months, he plans on mentoring other Scouts, a role fellow Scout Elliott Coker, 11, said he fulfills nicely.

"He's a hard worker, which shows," said Coker. "He's really good at saying what he wants to put out."

His teaching skills come from hard work, dedication and maturity, said Elliott's father, James, who serves as a committee member for Troop 65 and as a merit badge counselor.

"He's (Ross) probably one of the finest young men I've been in the company of," James said. "His creativity, maturity level and ability to communicate are more advanced than most kids his age. He commands the respect of the troop members."

Still, James did offer advice for Ross in his new role.

"A leader, is above all, a servant," he said. "Let the practice of the daily good turn become a lifetime of service, for only in giving of yourself do you give anything of value," James said.

Eventually, Ross' service may lead into the military. His father said Ross is looking at potentially joining the Army as a doctor.

Although Rick said there are still several years for Ross to grow, the military was still willing to honor Ross by flying a flag over the Pentagon at 5 p.m. Saturday. The flag will join other special honors bestowed upon Ross, including a letter from Mike Rowe, host of the Discovery Channel show Dirty Jobs, and a signed picture of actor James Earl Jones.

Janell said Ross wanted Jones to narrate the ceremony, but the actor was unable to attend and sent the picture in his place.

Good will permeated the ceremony, which marked the end of one phase of hard work and the beginning of another.

"You are a marked man: a leader. For good or ill, people will follow the example you set. Give up anything before you give up your reputation and good name," Ingram said. "I challenge you to enter this Eagle brotherhood, holding ever before you, without reservation, the ideals of honor and service."