In a press release from Troop 75:  Boy Scout Troop 75 of Cranford, NJ, proudly announces the convening of a Court of Honor to present Scouting’s highest rank, The Eagle Award, to John R. Hollier.

John started his scouting career in 2002 as a Cub Scout with Cub Scout Pack 75.   He earned his Arrow of Light and crossed over to Boy Scouts in 2007.  While earning 32 merit badges, John also served as Assistant Patrol Leader, Den Chief, Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.  As a Scout, John has had the opportunity to hike the back country of New Mexico at Philmont Scout Ranch in 2011.  He has attended NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) in 2010.

Currently, John is a sophomore at Cranford High School.  In high school he is a member of the Pre-engineering Technology Club and Wood Technology Club.  John’s Eagle Scout Project was to A) restore the Memorial Garden and B) cleanup the front of Cranford United Methodist Church (CUMC) near the bell.  The service project benefited the church community in restoring sections of Memorial Garden and made the front of the church a more welcoming front entrance for members and visitors.

The first step of project was to raise funds from several church members and he received several donations from Bartell and Twin Boro Lumber for mulch and Belgium blocks.  John organized a group of friends, family and fellow scouts to begin the work.  First, John removed the overgrown shrubs in front of the church and removed dead shrubs in garden.   Next, John power washed the front of church, garden walkways, repaired damaged edging and stained the garden edging and benches.  Later, he added 60 feet of Belgium blocks in front of garden near parking lot, added a retaining wall on side of garden and repaired 2 entry signs.  Lastly, he added new plants in front of church near the bell, added new plants throughout garden and added 9 cu yards of cedar mulch to beautify the entire area.  The entire project required 242 service hours from 15 scouts and adults.

Achievement of the Eagle Award is an accomplishment realized by only two percent of all the boys who join scouting.  His Eagle Court of Honor was held on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the Cranford United Methodist Church.  Troop 75 is sponsored by Cranford United Methodist Church.   For more information about Scouting and Troop 75, please contact Scoutmaster Joe Duffy at 908-497-0317.