The Eagle Scout
The following poem was written by S. Kurtz Hingley for the Eagle Court of Honor of his son. It was originally published in "The Quaker City Scout" which was a local scouting newsletter in Philadelphia. It (or variations of it) has been published as "It's Only A Pin".
It is given here as it appeared in the May 1931 edition of Scouting Magazine.
Thanks to Carol Parillo, granddaughter of the author, for tracking down the original version of the poem.
The Eagle Scout
A fond mother watches her boy where he stands
Apart from his comrades tonight
As they place on his camp-battered tunic, a badge,
An Eagle, the emblem of Right.
It seems to her just a few short months have passed
Since he joined, with the youngster next door.
How proud he was then of his Tenderfoot pin
As he told her the message it bore.
But three years have gone as he struggled along
To learn what the Scout Law's about.
And he practiced them daily, that Oath and that Law,
Until now--he's an Eagle Scout.
You may smile with your worldly wise wisdom at this
And say, "Why it's only a pin."
But I tell you no honors he'll gain as a man
Will mean just as much to him.
The Red, White and Blue of the ribbon you see
Are symbols of Honor and Truth.
He has learned how to value these fine attributes
In the glorious days of youth.
And the outflinging wings of the Eagle that rests
On the breast of this Knight of today
Are the things which will lift him above petty deeds
And guide him along the right way.
Yes, it's only a pin, just an Eagle Scout badge,
But the heart that's beneath it is true,
And will throb to the last for the things which are good;
A lesson for me--and for you.
S. Kurtz Hingley
in "The Quaker City Scout"