Double ceremony honors scouts Bangor boys awarded rank of Eagle scout

BANGOR – Luke J. Beland and Michael G. Farrar of Boy Scout Troop 8 in Bangor were each awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by Scoutmaster Dana J. Hunter in a ceremony held on May 7 at the Eddington Falls Salmon Club.

The rank of Eagle is the highest level of achievement in the Boy Scouts of America. Nationally, less than 4 percent of all scouts earn this rank.

The ceremony was attended by nearly 100 friends, family members and Boy Scouts and featured remarks by Bangor Mayor John H. Cashwell III, who also is an Eagle Scout.

Both Beland and Farrar have been active in Troop 8 for more than six years, holding a variety of leadership positions, attending Camp Roosevelt and participating in a number of Troop 8 canoeing, kayaking, and hiking trips.

Beland’s Eagle Leadership project involved using GPS to map trails and construct signage at the Bangor City Forest for use by walkers, bicyclists and cross-country skiers.

Farrar’s Eagle Leadership project involved the construction of an outdoor wooden glider swing and creation of a garden area for the enjoyment of residents and visitors at the Eastside Rehabilitation and Living Center in Bangor.

Beland is the son of Ken and Judy Beland of Bangor, and Farrar is the son of Robert and Bonnie Farrar of Bangor. Both scouts are currently juniors at Bangor High School.

Boy Scout Troop 8 is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Bangor and has had seven scouts reach the rank of Eagle Scout in the past year. It currently has a membership of 35 scouts.