Eagle Scout Class Named for Local Man

By Meghan Glassett  Wed Feb 06, 2008, 03:15 PM EST  Marblehead Reporter

Marblehead - In keeping with tradition that began four years ago, this year’s Yankee Clipper Council Eagle Scout class has a namesake, and this year, the honoree is a Marblehead resident, Alan Rieper.

Past Eagle Scout classes have been named in honor of Bernard M. Gordon of Manchester-by-the-Sea, George Fisher of Boxford, Mass and Richard Preble of West Newbury.

The Yankee Clipper Council will gather tomorrow night to honor 200 new local Eagle Scouts – the largest class in the Council’s history — at a banquet at the Windham Hotel and Resort in Andover. More than 500 people are expected to attend.

Rieper is an Eagle Scout, charter member and president of the Yankee Clipper Eagle Scout Association, a Council board member and treasurer. His own experience as a Scout was as a member of Pack, Troop and Explorer Post 24 in Staten Island, N.Y.

“Scouting has meant a great deal to me,” Rieper said. “Particularly as an adult, to give back to a program that meant a lot to me in my youth, I value it highly.”

He added, “To be a Scout is much more than learning how to tie a square knot and rubbing two sticks together. Scouting is about learning values, character traits and responsibilities.”

Rieper became an Eagle Scout in June 1956 at the age of 15, after earning 21 merit badges. He then went on to receive the Silver Palm by earning 15 additional badges.

“He’s been instrumental in the positive direction of Boy Scouting in the area for a number of years,” said Andy Barnett, advancement chairman of Marblehead Troop 79, which will see two of its own, Justin Etinger and Bradford Knight, honored as new Eagle Scouts tomorrow night.

“It’s important to see these young men, because [an Eagle Scout project] is a gift we as Boy Scouts give to the county. For that we are very proud,” said Rieper.

There are several requirements to become an Eagle Scout. First, a Scout must be active in his troop for a period of at least six months, achieving the rank of Life Scout. One must also demonstrate that he lives by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in his daily life. A total of 21 merit badges are required to be promoted to Eagle Scout. A Scout must come up with a plan that will develop leadership and provide service to others. After the completion of the Eagle Scout project, the Scout must complete a statement of ambition and life purpose.

The Yankee Clipper Council consists of 52 towns, including all of Essex County and the northern half of Middlesex County, including Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford and Wilmington.

Boy Scouts of America was established in 1910, and now exceeds 4.6 million youth and adult members.