Scouts Honor

by Laura Breen Galante

Two local teens, each a proud member of Scouts BSA, set the same challenging goal for themselves. Both young men were determined to become an Eagle Scout, which is  Scouting America’s highest achievement.

These 17-year-olds are members of different troops, but both share an interest in the military and the drive to succeed. One young man has already attained the rank of Eagle Scout, while the other is well on his way. Let’s meet these inspiring students:

Honoring Hometown Heroes

Will Watts, a junior at Lake Brantley High School, recently completed a two-year project to secure his Eagle Scout rank. Will is also a member of the Lake Brantley Air Force JROTC and hopes to attend West Point after graduating from high school.

The Longwood resident has been involved with Scouts BSA since first grade and is a member of Seminole County Troop 854.

Will’s project involved installing two bronze plaques at the Seminole County Heroes Memorial in Sanford to pay tribute to two recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor: Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe (who is buried in Sanford) and Staff Sergeant Robert Miller (who is buried in Casselberry). Both medals were awarded posthumously to the veterans’ families. 

“I became interested in the military in the fourth grade when we did a unit on World War II,” says Will. “From that point on, my fascination and admiration for the military grew.” 

When Will learned that SFC Cashe was buried at Westlawn Cemetery, where his troop plants flags each Memorial Day, he was intrigued. 

“During my research, I learned about SSG Miller, another Medal of Honor recipient from Seminole County,” says Will, “and this prompted me to do research about how these men have been honored in our county. I thought that I could do more.”

Holly Watts, Will’s mom, adds, “His whole concept was to inform the community about these two heroes who were from Seminole County.”

Will oversaw the entire project, leading the effort to fund, build, and dedicate the plaques to the two fallen soldiers. Recently, he hosted an unveiling ceremony attended by more than 200 people, including members of both families, elected officials, military members, and fire and police officers. Will’s high school lacrosse coaches also attended, as did his Air Force JROTC superiors from Lake Brantley. Mel Jenner, a 102-year-old WWII veteran who flew over Normandy on D-Day, was an honored guest. 

Now, Will is in the final phase of securing his Eagle Scout rank, as he must still pass a rigorous board of review.

“I am, however, relieved that the ceremony went as well as it did,” he says, “and the families were happy with how the memorial plaques turned out.”

It’s a Family Tradition

Brady Joseph, who lives in Winter Park, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout, becoming the eighth member of his family to do so. He follows in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather, three uncles, two cousins, and one of his older brothers.

“It has been a goal of mine for so many years,” says Brady, a member of Oviedo Troop 58, “and there was a tremendous amount of work and dedication to earn it.”

Kathy Joseph, Brady’s mom, says, “He’s wanted to pursue Eagle Scout since he started with Scouts in elementary school.”

To earn his Eagle Scout rank, the senior at Trinity Preparatory School completed a project at the American Legion Post 243 in Oviedo. The project involved planning, raising money, and installing a new flagpole as well as landscaping and installing lighting and a small rock wall around the pole.

“I decided on this Eagle project because patriotism is something that is very important to me,” says Brady. “I intend on serving our country in the military one day, so when this project came up, I was very excited to do it.”

The American Legion added a sign to accent the design, which was completed in February. Brady and his older brother, Cole, are both patriotic kids, says Kathy. 

“Both of the boys did their projects for the American Legion, and they both want to join the military after going to college,” she says. “So they wanted to do a project that meant something to them, something to tie in with the American flag.”

To show their gratitude, members of the American Legion attended Brady’s Court of Honor ceremony after he became an Eagle Scout.

“The American Legion of Oviedo has been so incredibly supportive of both of my boys through this process,” says Kathy. “I am so proud of Brady and all the hard work that he put into obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout.”

For Brady, his accomplishment hasn’t quite sunk in.

“It still doesn’t feel real yet,” he says. “I’m proudly the eighth Eagle in my family, and I am so grateful for all those who encouraged me along my path to Eagle.”