Thomas Burken, son of Michael and Alicia Burken of Grand Mound, is the 84th member of Boy Scouts of America Troop 29 to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
Tom, with the assistance of his mentor, Leo Mullen, completed his Eagle Scout project last autumn. The project consisted of building a pole building for the DeWitt Chamber and Development Company in which the holiday lights that adorn the downtown streets will be stored.
An Eagle Court of Honor is planned for March 9 at 1 p.m. at the Eugene McManus American Legion Post 238 in DeWitt. The public is invited.
Tom began scouting as a Tiger with Pack 29 in 2002. During his Cub Scout years, he earned his Parvuli Dei Catholic religious award and won pinewood derby medals. He earned his Arrow of Light in 2007, just before crossing over to Boy Scout Troop 29.
As a member of Troop 29, Tom held the positions of chaplain’s aide, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader and senior patrol leader. He was elected to the Order of the Arrow in 2010.
Tom attended the 100-year anniversary jamboree in 2010 as part of the ILLOWA Council contingent.
He earned his Pope Pius XII Catholic religious award in 2012, becoming one of only nine youths within the Davenport Diocese to earn the award in the previous seven years.
Tom has earned 43 merit badges and sold over $15,000 worth of popcorn.
He is also a member of Venture Crew 77, with which he has traveled to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. and the Boundary Waters. He will be traveling to Philmont again in 2015 as a member of Troop 29.
He also represented the Eugene McManus American Legion Post 238 at the 2013 Boy’s State Convention at Camp Dodge in Johnston.
