Community Projects Help Promote Two Troop 73 Scouts to Eagle Rank

NORTH CAPE MAY – As special guest Coast Guard Cmdr. Brian Krautler put it, “You are standing on the shoulders of great Eagle Scouts of the past.” He is mission support officer at Training Center Cape May.
His keynote remarks at the April 16 Eagle Scout Court of Honor that elevated Joseph Michael O’Keefe and William F. Gloede to Eagle Scout rank referred to former presidents, astronauts, government leaders and a famous heart surgeon who had achieved the honor and went on to achieve much, much more in their own lives.
Only about 2 percent of all Boy Scouts attain the rank of Eagle; the honor continues to define those young men who achieve it as boys of character and perseverance since the inception of Boy Scouts over 100 years ago.
In the presence of their parents, families, local dignitaries and friends, both Gloede and O’Keefe of Troop 73 stood tall near the colors as their brother scouts helped perform the ceremony that ended with their donning the special Eagle Scout blue neckerchief trimmed with red, white and blue stripes.
William F. Gloede
Gloede, a 10th grader at Wildwood Catholic High School, completed his Eagle project within six months. As a student, he had noticed the grotto for the Virgin Mary statue at Wildwood Catholic was run down and in need of repair.
He then created a “Mary Garden” on the site that included a new bench, a small dirt path now dressed up to accommodate those seeking solitude, general repairs and new landscaping including flowers. The total project cost $2,775 which he raised in the community through personal donations and with the permission and assistance of local businesses which allowed him to fund raise on their premises. 
Gloede is currently studying Algebra II, History, Spanish and Honors Literature; he has no specific plans for colleges yet but is gravitating towards science and math. His family attended including mom Dawn, dad Chris, sisters Meaghan Myers and Kristen.
Joseph M. O’Keefe
O’Keefe is a freshman at St. Augustine’s Prep who created a Cape May County Sheriff K-9 training area last summer. He raised money by selling K-9 Frisbees, and with the cooperation of the Sheriff’s Department.
He and some of his fellow scouts built hurdles and other training aids that will keep the police dogs healthy, happy and well trained.
O’Keefe likes music and hopes to be a music major when he enters college. O’Keefe currently studies Spanish, public speaking, biology and band. His family included dad Michael, mom Marjorie, and older brother Jimmie, who also became an Eagle Scout two years ago.
Dignitaries who attended included State Senator Jeff Van Drew and State Assemblyman R. Bruce Land, both D-1st.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.