Orland Park Boy Scout Troop 383 Celebrates First Eagle Scout

Orland Park Boy Scout Troop 383 closed 2015 celebrating a significant milestone in the troop’s five year history. The troop held its first Eagle Scout Court of Honor, recognizing the troop’s first Eagle Scout.

Tim Klotz, one of the founding members of Troop 383, passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review in August with the troop and Klotz’s family holding his court of honor late last year at the Orland Chateau in Orland Park.

Klotz, 16, is a sophomore at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox where he plays football, wrestles and throws shot put. He is the son of Margie Owens-Klotz and Gerry Klotz of Orland Park.

“I’ve been in scouts since I joined as a Tiger Cub Scout in first grade at Kruse School,” Klotz said. “It’s been more than 10 years of great friendships, amazing experiences and lots of fun.”

The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America Program. The designation of Eagle Scout was first termed more than 100 years ago and only a small percentage of Eagle Scouts are granted the rank after a lengthy review process. The requirements take years to complete.

“Troop 383 is very excited to have its first eagle,” said founding Troop 383 Scoutmaster Gerry Klotz, Tim’s dad. “We have a great group of boys who work well together and are determined to see each other join the small percentage of scouts nationwide who reach eagle.”

According to the National Eagle Scout Association, “The award is a performance based achievement whose standards have been well maintained over the years.” One in four boys in America become Boy Scouts with just five percent earning the Eagle Scout Award. More than two million boys have earned the rank since its inception in 1912.

To earn the Eagle Scout Rank, a scout must fulfill requirements in areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills. Specific skills are required to advance through the seven ranks of scouting and a scout must meet specific requirements. Of the 130+ merit badges available, 21 specific badges must be earned to qualify for eagle.

“It’s pretty cool to be first eagle in the history of our troop and it’s even more cool because I have a lot of guys right behind me, all going for eagle,” Klotz said. “I’m looking forward to helping each of them get there.”

While a Life Scout, a candidate must plan, develop and lead others in a service project helpful to an organization other than scouting. Klotz completed his Eagle Scout Project in June, 2014, creating the Captain Ronald L. Zinn Memorial Garden at the Village of Orland Park Veterans Center, 15045 West Avenue, in Orland Park.

Ron Zinn was an Orland Park resident who graduated from Carl Sandburg High School, was a two time US Olympian, a graduate of West Point and the community’s first casualty in Vietnam. Details about the garden can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ronzinnmemorialgarden/

“I first learned about Ron Zinn in 2012 when our troop created a historical geochallenge for Orland Park,” Klotz said. “I saw a rock monument for him over near the Loebe Center and decided that he deserved something more. That’s how I worked with the Village of Orland Park and the Veterans Commission to create a garden to forever remember this local and national hero.”

Gail Blummer is the recently retired secretary of the village’s Veterans Commission and was Troop 383’s charter organization representative.

“I’ve known Tim since he was a baby and have watched him grow up in scouts. We were all very proud of his wanting to honor Captain Zinn and were even more excited when he passed his Eagle Board of Review,” she said. “I’m excited for all of the boys in Troop 383 because they’re a great team that works together. I’m looking forward to seeing more eagles from this troop.”

Klotz’s Court of Honor was attended by family, friends, village officials, sports coaches, the Zinn family and a number of representatives from Providence Catholic. Orland Park Village Trustee Mike Carroll, a retired Troop 383 assistant scoutmaster, served as master of ceremony and Father John Merkelis, pastoral director at Providence, offered the invocation and benediction.

During the ceremony, Klotz’s sister, Stephanie, read portions of the many congratulatory letters sent to Klotz from President Obama, federal representatives, state legislators, local officials, coaches and school administrators.
Klotz received flags that flew over the US Capitol from US Senator Mark Kirk and Congressman Dan Lipinski. He also received a letter from Ron Zinn’s commanding officer in Vietnam, retired Lieutenant Colonel Roy Lombardo, Jr. who wrote to thank Klotz for forever remembering Ron Zinn.
Klotz credits a number of people for his reaching eagle before he turned 16. “I’ve known that I wanted to reach eagle ever since I first knew what it was when I was in Cub Scouts.”

“My parents — especially my dad — were the biggest driving force behind me,” Klotz said. “My mom and dad were both scouts as kids and they’ve been leaders for more than 20 years between Girl Scouts with my sister and Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts with me. I couldn’t have done this without my family, our great guys, our troop leaders and parents, and everyone who helped with the memorial garden for Captain Zinn. I’m grateful to everyone who helped me on my Trail to Eagle.”