By T.W. ALLEN
PDT Staff Writer

Boy Scout Troop 12 held its annual holiday Court of Honors Monday at Cornerstone United Methodist Church. The service honored local Scouts and their achievements from throughout the year.

At the service, past Scouts were also honored for their accomplishments in scouting.

"Every year we have a court of honor around Christmas which helps us close the year and it brings the troop and the families together. This also allows us to recognize some recent efforts of the boys," Phil Malone, scoutmaster with Troop 12, said.

The Court of Honor in Scouting is a ceremony in which Scouts are recognized for the work they have achieved, whether that be through obtaining a higher rank or a merit badge they have earned. There are four Courts of Honor held throughout the year.

"When a boy earns a rank we will give him his patch right away, then we will honor him at the Court of Honor," Malone said.

There were several scouts who were honored. One Scout was honored for completing his joining requirements and he was presented with a Scout badge. Three Scouts were honored with first class or "Tenderfoot," in which they learn the basics and standards of Scouting.

Several Scouts were also bestowed with second class, which includes more advanced rank requirements.

"We want to get everyone to first class. Where they go from there is up to them. Prior to that the older boys counsel the younger scouts as he tries to achieve the rank within the first year of the troop," Malone said.

Some of the recent Eagle scouts who returned for the service included one who has returned from basic training in the US Army, where is Eagle experience put him in front of this platoon and led them to accolades while in training.

Another Scout is in college, assisted by the Army, after he achieved a position in Army Intelligence and served overseas. Two Eagles are returning home for the holidays, one in Officer Candidate School in the Army, the other in college and Reserve Office Training Corps. Both give credit to their Eagle rank for their current achievements. Also expected to attend the ceremony was an Officer Candidate currently in ROTC in college, who has been accepted in the US Navy Fighter training program upon graduation.

Troop 12 will begin its 80th year of existence in 2009, the BSA's 99th year.