An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

NEWS | Nov. 20, 2007

89 AW/CV's son becomes Eagle Scout

By Lt. Col. Herb Wesselman 744th Communications Squadron commander and Troop 404 Scout Master

On Oct. 21, Starner Vechery, son of Col. James and Robin Vechery, attained the highest rank within Boy Scouts and was made an Eagle Scout. 

Colonel Vechery is the 89th Airlift Wing vice commander. 

The ceremony at Grace Brethren Church in Clinton, Md., was the culmination of several years of dedicated effort by Starner. 

The road to Eagle Scout is arduous, requiring the Scout to advance through the ranks in Scouting; earn more than 20 merit badges; hold leadership positions within his Troop; and complete a significant community service project. 

For Eagle Scout Vechery, this road to becoming an Eagle Scout included membership in four different Troops across the United States: Troop 319 at Grand Forks AFB, N.D.; Troop 25 in Prattville, Ala.; Troop 40 in Shiloh, Ill. and finally Troop 404 at Andrews AFB, Md.. 

To complete his community service project, Starner led a three day landscaping project for his church in Illinois. During this effort, he supervised more than 50 workers in planting hundreds of flowers and shrubs as well as the placement of more than 90 tons of rock to stabilize storm water run off ditches. 

At Andrews, Eagle Scout Vechery has been very active in Troop 404 including holding the leadership position of Senior Patrol Leader, where he was responsible for organizing and executing the "boy led, boy run" program. This included organizing and participating in local community service projects as well as weekend camping trips to destinations such as Shenandoah National Park and the battlefields at Gettysburg, Penn. 

Attaining the rank of Eagle Scout is only achieved by two percent of young men that join Boy Scouts and is an achievement that they will carry with them the rest of their lives. By earning Eagle Scout, Starner joins the ranks of some of America's most prominent leaders to include the 38th President, Gerald Ford; astronaut, Neil Armstrong; home-run king, Henry (Hank) Aaron, and movie director, Steven Spielberg. 

Young men can join the Boy Scouts at 11 years of age or through the Cub Scout program after they have earned their "Arrow of Light." 

Troop 404 at Andrews is always looking to welcome new members and meets every Tuesday evening at bldg. 1602, Room 137. 

Anyone looking to join or for more information can contact the Troop 404 Scout Master, Lt. Col. Herb Wesselman, at 301-981-6881 or Mr. Avis Nesbitt, Sr. at 301-324-7752.