• Eagle Scouts Owen Thomas, Tanner Dowless and Thomas Smith sit at the front of the room during the court of honor ceremony on Sept. 11 at Peace Lutheran Church. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Owen Thomas places the Eagle mother’s pin. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Owen Thomas and his parents while receiving his Eagle badge. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • From left, Owen Thomas, Tanner Dowless and Owen Thomas recite the Scout oath. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Thomas Smith adjusts his neckerchief while the help of his family. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • The Eagle Scouts put on their neckerchiefs. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Mike Novak, senior patrol leader, leads off the evening with the flag ceremony. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • David Novak, Troop 161 committee chair, convenes the court of honor. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Tom Klipfel, Troop 161 scoutmaster, watches while Owen Thomas receives his neckerchief. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Tom Klipfel, Troop 161 scoutmaster, presents Thomas Smith with his Eagle badge. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Owen Thomas, Tanner Dowless and Thomas Smith with Tom Klipfel at the podium share a light moment as the Eagle Scouts stumble on reciting the Scout motto. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Tom Klipfel, Troop 161 scoutmaster, reads from a script of the ceremony. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Tanner Dowless puts on his neckerchief with help from his dad. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Tanner Dowless receives his Eagle badge — a tradition being that it’s pinned over his heart by his mother. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Carl Dowless, Troop 161 committee assistant scoutmaster, speaks about the significance of the Eagle insignia. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Liam Bennett, Troop 161 chaplain’s aide, lights candles during the ceremony. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Liam Bennett, Troop 161 chaplain’s aide, leads the invocation. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)

Brad Fuqua has covered the Philomath area since 2014 as the editor of the now-closed Philomath Express and currently as publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He has worked as a professional journalist since 1988 at daily and weekly newspapers in Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, Arizona, Montana and Oregon.