{MaRcH 2oo7: NewS ArtiCLe aBouT eAGle scOUt ProjECt}

John & I with Tanner

Note: Our friends and neighbors did this in honor of James. We found a list beside his bed of things he wanted to accomplish that summer, and "get eagle " was on it. His scoutmaster came up with this idea. The ceremony was held a year ago, on James' birthday. ( Libby's birthday too!). We were so moved by this effort on the part of our friends (& James' friends!), and it helped make his first birthday following his death bearable. (J.W. had not yet returned from his mission, and so was not with us).

The following is a story printed in the local paper:

Spirit of Eagle Award goes to fallen Scout

John and Erin ____ became the proud parents of two Eagle Scouts Thursday night. One Eagle Award was presented to their son Tanner. The other was awarded posthumously to their other son, James, who died just under a year ago in a tragic accident in _____ ____ Canyon. James and his best friend, Eric ____, both 17, were hiking near the Twin Peaks area at about 10,000 feet when [Eric] slipped and fell 100 to 200 feet. [Eric} suffered two broken wrists, a fractured skull and two severely cut-up knees. James was climbing down to help [Eric] when he slipped and fell 450 feet to his death. Thursday, in an emotional ceremony at the LDS Stake Center, James' parents were presented with the Spirit of the Eagle Award, given to honor those Scouts who have lost their lives in a tragic accident or from illness. "It's just such an honor to his memory," John ____ said. But being presented with the Spirit of the Eagle Award was just part of the way Troop 1189 honored James. An amazing total of 23 boys in the troop received their Eagle Scout awards Thursday, including [Eric]. All of them were inspired to complete their service projects and earn their awards in James' honor. "We did this for him. I think he'd be pretty proud right now,"[Eric] said."No one was left behind." In addition to completing their own service projects, the Scouts completed a service project for James. It was the only requirement he had left to finish before receiving his Eagle. The Scouts made quilts and donated them to an orphanage in China. They picked that project because just 12 days before James' death, his family adopted a baby girl, Libby, from that same orphanage. Libby and James formed an instant bond in the short time they were together. And they both shared the same birthday, which was Thursday. Libby turned 2 while James would have turned 18. Doug ____, Eric's father, presented the Spirit of the Eagle Award to James' parents. Before making the presentation, James' picture was displayed with a projector on a screen. Fogg recalled how [James] was a leader in the Scouting organization and a person the other Scouts looked up to, especially during summer camp. Past Scoutmasters remembered James running through the slot canyons trying to catch lizards. Others remembered the experienced outdoorsman as a young man who not only hiked King's Peak and the Pffeiferhorn but as someone who was always first to the top of the mountain. They said he always took the lead -- not for bragging rights but to serve as inspiration for the other Scouts and to challenge them to reach their potential. A picture of James' notebook that was found in his room after his death was then displayed for the audience. James had written a list of the goals he wanted to accomplish. One of them, which was circled, was hiking Twin Peaks. "We are honored to complete this project for him," [Doug] said. "Thank you James ." The audience in the nearly full gymnasium gave a long standing ovation for James as Fogg completed his speech and James' parents walked to the front to accept the award. "A lot of good was done in the world because of a tragic event," Scoutmaster Steve ____ said after listing the Eagle Service projects that were completed after James' death. "It's a real tribute just to the goodness of the boys," John ____ said. "It's a great tribute to him. It's an honor, it really is." "Our son would just be so touched. He really loved these guys," added Erin ____. Eric ____ completed his service project by repainting the helicopter landing pad at ____ ____ Hospital. A Life Flight helicopter had hoisted [Eric] off the mountain following his accident. Today, he said his wrists are still sore at times, but he's close to complete recovery. [Eric] said that as he watched the ceremony, his thoughts drifted to his friend and all he did. "I was thinking how much I missed him -- how much he was such a great friend and a good example to me," he said. Copyright C 2007 ____News Publishing Co.Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved. Pat Reavy ____Morning News

Before we left for the scouting event, we...

Went to James' grave...





And celebrated Libby Mei's 2nd birthday...


Marshall helped her blow out her candles!

Here is the hall in the church where our family, friends, and community gathered.

Doug, Eric's father, presented us with the "Spirit of the Eagle" award, in honor of James. Our beloved Bishop & Scoutmaster were standing next to us. We will always remember this moment--- we were overcome with emotion (mostly love).

Tanner also received his Eagle Scout award

The 23 boys in the troop who earned the rank of Eagle Scout on this very special day!

A hug from Grandpa

Tanner with his wonderful grandparents (Grandma Carolyn was recovering from a broken hip, but still was able to come!)

Our family---strengthened by the love of our community, our ward, our friends. A day we will always carry in our hearts!