It took many years but Sam Eades of Boy Scout Troop 7, chartered to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Springfield, reached a lifetime goal by earning his Eagle Scout badge. The final step in the process was his Eagle project, designing and building 10 benches for the Champaign County Fairgrounds. The project took on special meaning since he, and many generations of his family, have shown livestock through FFA and the 4-H program at the fairgrounds.

The fact that a boy is an Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special significance, not only in Scouting but also for the young man as he enters higher education, business or industry, and community service. Only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

As an Eagle Scout, Eades joins such dignitaries as Neil Armstrong (Astronaut), former President Gerald Ford, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Sam Walton (founder of Wal-Mart).

Eades’ Court of Honor takes place June 28 at 7 p.m. at the LDS Church, 4400 Derr Road in Springfield.