McKenney earns Eagle ‘wings’ as new flag flies
FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Lance McKenney of Boy Scout Troop 194 received his Eagle Scout Merit Award this summer, and brought some patriotism to the Maine Winter Sports Center in the process.
The son of Dan and Mitzi McKenney of Fort Fairfield, McKenney took on the task of erecting a 25-foot flagpole, complete with landscaping and lighting, at the entrance of the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle.
This project was particularly important to McKenney, as he has been a successful skier with Maine Winter Sports Center for the past 10 years.
“My folks were trying to think of an idea for an Eagle Scout project to keep in mind when I was younger, and when the last World Cup Biathlon was in Presque Isle,they noticed that there wasn’t a USA flag at the entrance to the Nordic Heritage Center,” McKenney explained. “I have been a skier with MWSC for the past 10 years, so to do a project like that, and at that location, it seemed like a perfect project.”
Only about 2 percent of Scouts earn the Eagle rank, McKenney said. To attain the honor, a Scout must complete all the steps, which include a community service project, by his 18th birthday.
“The thought of doing the flagpole project felt somewhat overwhelming to me,” he said. “I ski for Maine Winter Sports Center, and that requires a lot of travel up until the end of March. I needed my Dad’s help, and with his job in construction, he is very busy, especially in the summer months. That meant a very small window [with] the pressing deadline of my 18th birthday on July 5. I thought my Mom was going to have a heart attack. Needless to say it was a stressful time for all of us.”
The flagpole was donated by the owner of a defunct local company, who lives out of state. It was still located at the place of business — which meant all McKenney had to do was go get it.
“There is a chain-link fence enclosing the vacant grounds, which made retrieving the pole a bit of a challenge,” he reported. “It was a cold and gloomy day when just Dad and I had to hoist about a 275-pound pole over the fence.
“I also had to get insurance coverage before the pole was removed, and permission from the Department of Transportation before I could erect the pole at the final site,” continued McKenney. “The DOT regulations required a distance for safety from the road to the pole site, and I knew I was up against ledge and the rock facing of a hill. Where the flag stands now was the only available site, so I was keeping my fingers crossed because of the ledge and rock obstacles.”
Thankfully, all the details worked out. The Nordic Heritage Center is now proudly flying Old Glory, and The County can boast a new Eagle Scout.
“I am already starting to see the importance of having an Eagle Scout rank,” McKenney reflected. “Since I am in my senior year, it is an important asset to list with scholarship and college applications.”
He has been involved with Scouting since elementary school and grew up with most of the troop members.
“One of the skills I have learned is knot tying. … They can be used to secure an object, make a shelter, or even be used for such outlandish things as knotting a bridge — all created out of different knot styles. We also learned things like igloo building, emergency shelters and building a fire without matches.”
McKenney credits Robert Bixler of Fort Fairfield as “an amazing Scout leader.”
“He demonstrated everything a parent would hope to have for their child’s BSA leader. He is self-employed as a finish wood crafter and he also has an education in surveying,” the Scout said. “He also would take us on many different camping adventures. I remember one of the first canoe trips we went on was about 60 miles. I was 11 or 12 years old at that time.
“He was always very patient, trustworthy, and he truly has the integrity that is usually only witnessed in a storybook. I just want to publicly thank him for everything.”
McKenney also gave special thanks to Robert Cullins, Troop 194, Emera Maine, Otis May, S.W. Collins Co., Nordic Heritage Center, Steven Nasiff and Betty McKenney.
