Eagle Scout - Another Gerald Ford Virtual ⚜ Virtual Cache

From the Ford Library Museum website:
The Ford's were involved with several organizations aimed at improving the community. In addition to being a dutiful church-going family and members of the South High Parent Teachers association, Gerald Ford Sr. was involved in the Youth Commonwealth, an organization he helped create to help provide support for young boys in poor families. He was also a dedicated member of the Masons. Dorothy was involved with her organizations as well, such as the Santa Claus Girls, a group of women who would make or collect gifts to give to impoverished families of Grand Rapids. Junior, no doubt influenced by his parents’ engagement with the community, became involved with an up and coming organization called the Boy Scouts of America.

The Ford's were involved with several organizations aimed at improving the community. In addition to being a dutiful church-going family and members of the South High Parent Teachers association, Gerald Ford Sr. was involved in the Youth Commonwealth, an organization he helped create to help provide support for young boys in poor families. He was also a dedicated member of the Masons. Dorothy was involved with her organizations as well, such as the Santa Claus Girls, a group of women who would make or collect gifts to give to impoverished families of Grand Rapids. Junior, no doubt influenced by his parents’ engagement with the community, became involved with an up and coming organization called the Boy Scouts of America.

Jerry Jr. became eligible to join the organization on his twelfth birthday, and his scouting career began in December of 1925. He was sworn in by giving the Scout oath: “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” It was in Scouts where he learned an appreciation for nature, became a masterful swimmer, and gained experiences that he would take pride in for years to come. Ford would eventually become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts, and remain connected to the organization and its ideals throughout his life.

When Ford died in December 2006, his family requested an honor guard of 200 Eagle Scouts. They knew how important Scouting was to the man throughout his life.

In fact, 400 Eagle Scouts — age 15 to 85 — showed up to line the road to his presidential museum in Grand Rapids.

A fitting memorial to the man who once said, “One of the proudest moments of my life came in the court of honor when I was awarded the Eagle Scout badge. I still have that badge. It is a treasured possession.”

Wanting to find something in the area that was a little more substantial for this virtual, I immediately thought of Gerald Ford. But we have a virtual downtown (by CacherX4) for him, and his final resting place. And downtown has enough virtuals. So I placed this one to honor one aspect of Ford's life. One my kids and I share with him and at a place I frequent. A lot has changed since Ford was in Scouting. A lot has changed since I was a youth member, including it no longer being called Boy Scouts of America. Scouting America, as it will become known soon, is more inclusive and allows girls to participate. I'm thankful for this as I can share my scouting experience with, not only my son, but now my daughter as well. They both have sights on becoming Eagle Scouts themselves. But let's focus back on Gerald Ford.

The statue at this location: I want you to take some time with this one so please answer the following questions. (uploading photos is great (yet optional) but do not include answers in those photos please)

1. The statue depicts Gerald R. Ford as an Eagle Scout at what age?

2. Who was the artist for this sculpture? This can be found on a plaque or on the sculpture itself.

3. Those that made a gift to help place the second statue in the Presidential Museum contributed what dollar amount or more?

4. According to one plaque, Gerald Ford said the three great principles which Scouting encourages...are the building blocks of _____________?

5. There is a service star on Ford's uniform above the left pocket. What is the number shown on that service star? (it's very small)

Also while you're here check out the traditional nearby and the Lab cache "Favorite Son" both by RedhedMary, which has a stage at this same statue.