(Banner Staff Photo by Doc Smith) Shelly Ritch had the honor of pinning the Eagle Scout ribbon on the uniform of her son, Josh Ritch, Saturday, Dec. 5, at Bullard Southern Baptist Church. Alan Ritch proudly watches as his son, Josh, received the highest rank in Boys Scouts. Long hours of work, determination, courage and sacrifice all culminated recently - as Josh Ritch of Boy Scout Troop 366 was awarded the highest honor of Eagle Scout, at Bullard Southern Baptist Church.

Friends and family from as far away as Indiana were in attendance for the once- in- a- lifetime ceremony.

To become an Eagle Scout, a young man has to earn 21 merit badges and complete a service project. Josh “Patches’ Ritch has over 28 merit badges covering a range of subjects, and Josh also received the Bronze Palm for earning more than the required number of badges. Ritch’s project was to design flags and install them at the Bullard Mission House. Josh also obtained an American flag from his uncle that had been flown in Iraq.

(Banner Staff Photo by Doc Smith) Ritch Family members from all over the U.S. attended Josh’s Eagle Scout ceremony. Ritch has achieved a goal that is only earned by 2 to 4 percent of the boys who join Boy Scouts.

The Eagle Badge itself is a ribbon made up of three colors, red, white, and blue that holds the Eagle medallion.

Ritch is a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow and a member of the ceremony team for his OA Chapter. He was only seven nights shy of 100 nights camping, and he put in 131-miles hiking at Camp Philmont.

Since joining the troop in 2005, Ritch has served as Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and the Order of the Arrow representative for his troop.

Ritch is also a member of the Bullard Panther football team, and played a lead role in the musical, Grease’ last year at BHS.

Above all, earning the rank of Eagle has intangibles that make leaders who they are.

“First you must be of good moral character, he must be as the Order of the Arrow says, “A friend to all others,” and he must be dedicated to living a life of service to others,” said Scoutmaster, Mark Maple.

Assistant scoutmaster, Nannette Moss was also a part of the ceremony, adding many scouting trip memories as well as a few of the color guard.

During the ceremony, mom, Shelly Ritch was presented the badge to pin on her son, followed by miniature Eagle pins presented from Josh to his parents, Shelly and Alan.

After a call to order and the color guard were positioned, Reverend B.C. McCoy offered an invocation to begin the ceremony.