Good news: Three brothers from Troop 002 completed their Eagle projects for Boy Scouts this past summer.

Jerry McQuade and Ernie McQuade earned the rank of Eagle on Sept. 18. Jimmy McQuade is on track to earn the rank of Eagle in February 2013.

Although it was quite a busy summer for our family, it was also a very rewarding and memorable one as well. The three boys scheduled out their summer to include the necessary ‘work days’ to complete each of their individual projects. They enlisted help from our family. There are eight of us: Jerry Sr., dad; Louisa McQuade, mom; Mary, seventh grade; Michael Angelo, fifth grade; and Georgia Rose, third grade, all home educated.

The boys also enlisted the help of their fellow troop members, friends, neighbors and teammates. Their teams of workers consisted of both youth and adults of all ages. Their work days needed to be scheduled around football summer workouts, cross country summer workouts, a family vacation up to New York to see the grandparents, work, chores, relaxing, having fun, and of course, summer reading and other assignments.

Jerry’s project entailed marking the entire cross country trail behind North Cobb High School – mile and KM markers (9 signs) with wooden posts secured into cement footers, an entrance sign and Warrior Head stencils on the trees also mark the entire trail. There are two loops, an orange one and a blue one. If you've never been on the trail, you should definitely go and have a jog or hike. It's really a pretty trail. Jerry worked with Mr. Stephenson, the magnet coordinator and cross country coach.

Ernie’s project entailed clearing, constructing, building and installing large wooden steps leading down a new 2-acre water feature from the current developed property at The Smith-Gilbert Gardens. Ernie worked with Mr. Doug Davis at Smith-Gilbert Gardens.

Jimmy cleared and constructed an entranceway into the new 2-acre water feature at Smith-Gilbert Gardens under the direction of Davis.

Both Ernie and Jimmy’s project cleared the area of thick brush first. The steps leading down to the new area were purposefully built adjacent to a beautiful 300-year-old tree with huge roots. 

If you've never been to the Smith-Gilbert Gardens, you should also definitely check it out. It's beautiful, peaceful and right in Kennesaw’s backyard!

It took a lot of time, dedication and teamwork but all three successfully completed their projects to their beneficiaries’ satisfaction.

All three brothers are enrolled in the School for International Studies Magnet Program at North Cobb High School. Jerry and Ernie are on North Cobb’s varsity football team as well as the Unity Council, a student-athlete leadership program where they were elected by their peers.

Jimmy is on the North Cobb cross country team.

All play lacrosse and swim for North Cobb. They are active youth leaders in their A.W.A.N.A. youth organization at Mountain View Church in Marietta. Brothers Jerry (senior), Ernie (junior) and Jimmy (freshman) McQuade are very active in the community and commit a great deal of time to volunteerism and service. While being active in athletics and community service, they maintain good standing with the rigorous magnet program.

They now join two other previous Eagle Scout awardees in Troop 002, Will O’Rourke and Jack Dimmett. All of them are an inspiration to their fellow scouts.