| return to the Court of Honor page |


  • Eagle Scout Publicity Plan
  • Invitations
  • Community/government Invitation List Ideas
  • BSA Invitation List Ideas
  • Eagle Commendation Letters
  • Sample Commendation Requests
  • Alternatives to Commendation Letters
  • Examples of Commendation Letters Received
  • Commendation Letter Addresses

  • Eagle Scout Publicity Plan
     

    There are basic steps to follow in publicizing any Scouting event. The following suggestions will help unit leaders develop a media plan for the Eagle Scout Ceremony.

    CONTACTS: Prepare a mailing list of the newspapers in your council, district, and unit area. These should be daily, weekly, religious, and school newspapers, business, church, organization, council and district newsletters.

    BIO: Obtain detailed biographical material from the recipient and a 4"x 5" (or larger) black and white glossy photo, (some newspapers take their own photos.) Include Scouting honors and leadership positions, education, church, civic and school activities, and include the troop number and the Scoutmaster's name.

    Prepare a one page double-spaced news release from the biographical material. This should be typed on a standard 8 1/2"x11" sheet of white paper. Be brief, use short words, always use exact dates, give age of the Scout, name the chartered organization and above all spell every word correctly.
    When preparing a news release, six points are important to remember: Who... What... When... Where... Why... and How. Get all those points into the first two or three sentences. Then go into the details of the story.
    Address and mail all news releases to the editor of your local newspaper and newsletters at least a week in advance of the presentation, or as soon as possible after the ceremony. Because of space limitations, most large newspapers deal exclusively with photos and captions of Eagle Scouts. Smaller suburban newspapers welcome photos and longer articles and are more likely to use them.

    | return to the top of page |

    Invitations
     

    The Eagle candidate should send out invitations to VIPs about 3 months before the actual ceremony. This allows time for busy politician and business leaders to respond to the candidate's invitation.

    A Sample Invitation Letter
     

    123 Main Street
    Somewhere, USA
     

    The Honorable _______________________
    U.S. Senate
    Washington, DC. 20510
     

    Dear Senator __________

    I would be greatly honored if you could attend my Eagle Scout Court of Honor on 13 July 1998 at the First Banquet Hall of Fame at 2 PM in Mill Valley, Illinois. Your presence would greatly add to my receiving the Boy Scouts of America's highest honor, the Eagle Scout Award. I hope you will be able to attend my Eagle Court of Honor.
     

    Yours in Scouting,
     

    Sample Scout

    | return to the top of page |

    Community/government Invitation List Ideas
     

    When writing to a member of Congress, use the address below:

    THE HONORABLE ________________________
    U.S. Senate
    Washington, D.C. 20510

    THE HONORABLE _________________________
    U.S. House of Representatives
    Washington, D. C. 20515
     

    When writing to invite the President or Vice-President of the United States to your event, use the address below:

    Mr. Barack H. Obama
    President Of The U. S.

    The White House
    Attn:  Scheduling Office
    Washington, DC  20502-0184

    Mr. Joseph R. Biden
    Vice President Of The U. S.

    The White House
    Attn:  Vice President's Scheduling Office
    Washington, DC  20501-0279

    (NOTE: there is a different address for requesting commendation letters and greetings.)

    Key leaders in your home town that you may consider sending an invitation to:

    MAYOR
    City of ____________

    Fire Chief
    City of __________

    Chief of Police
    City of ____________

    Superintendent of Schools
    Public Schools

    | return to the top of page |

    BSA Invitation List Ideas

    Council President
    Council Commissioner

    District Chairman
    District Commissioner
    District Executive
    District Advancement Chair
    District Activities Chair
    District Camping Chair
    District Training Chair
     

    Unit Commissioner
    Charter Organization Representative
    Troop Committee Chair
    Previous Scout leaders (including Cub and Webelos)

    | return to the top of page |

    Eagle Commendation Letters
     

    It is common practice to write to a variety of government officials, celebrities, and others to request Commendation letters for a new Eagle Scout. These letters are then presented to the Eagle at the Court of honor, usually in the form or a scrap book. A list of possible addresses can be found at http://usscouts.org/eagle/eaglecongrats.asp. There is also a large list at the bottom of this web page < click here to go there now >.

    | return to the top of page |

    If you have suggestions for this list or send requests to the addresses below that are refused or returned, would you please let us know by sending a note to the webmaster?


    Sample Commendation Requests

    Here is an example letter to send requesting a certificate or letter of achievement from our community, state, and federal leaders.

    January 21, 2009

    Vice President Joseph R. Biden
    The White House
    Washington, D.C. 20502-0039

    Mr. Vice President:

    This letter is to ask for your assistance in recognizing the achievements and service of

    (Eagle Scout’s name as desired on letter)
    (mailing address -- can be the Scout’s address, or c/o someone at another address)

    All of the recognitions and letters will be compiled, placed in a binder or other suitable keepsake, and after they are read, will be displayed during this special occasion for (first name of Eagle Scout).

    Thank you very much for taking time to help this community and this unit recognize the personal achievement and service of Eagle Scout (last name).

    Sincerely,

    *your signature*

    (Your full name)
    (Your Scouting position)
    (Your Unit's number/name)

    *********************************

    Another Sample

    (Name)
    Member of the Troop Committee Boy Scout Troop (#)
    (Address)
    (Town, State, Zip)

    October 1, 2003
     

    President Barack H. Obama
    The White House
    Attn: Greetings Office
    Washington, D.C. 20502-0039

    Dear Mr. President:

    The Scouts, Leaders and Members of the Committee Boy Scout Troop (#) take great pleasure in announcing that:

    Having completed the requirements for, and having been examined by an
    Eagle Scout Board of Review
    (Scout's Name)
    Was found worthy of the rank of Eagle Scout.

    In honor of this achievement, we have scheduled an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for (date and time), at (location, town).

    We would appreciate a letter or certificate acknowledging his achievement. We will compile it with other acknowledgments and place in a scrap book commemorating this special occasion.

    Thank you for taking time from your extremely busy schedule to help this community recognize the achievements and service of Eagle Scout (Scout's Name).

    Sincerely,

    (Name)

    | return to the top of page |

    Alternatives to Commendation Letters

    As an alternative to requesting commendation letters, you might consider this suggestion from an Eagle Scout candidate and his parents:

    My son loves to read and wants to pass that love for books and reading along. His Eagle project was to collect books and give them to children. He collected over 5,000 books and gave them to a local school and the students there. (The school is a Title 1 school and many of the students there did not have a lot of books.) 

    Instead of requesting a lot of letters of congratulations, he asks each person to whom he sends a letter to either read a book to a child or donate a book to a library or school.  With each letter, he supplies a bookplate, as shown below:

     

     
        soaring_eagle_color.gif  Fly away on Eagle’s wings.

             In honor of Buddy Haines becoming an Eagle Scout.

       

      July 2004    

        Buddy Haines, Troop 121
       

         Continue to Read!              

     

     

    | return to the top of page |

     


     

    Examples of Commendation Letters Received

     

    Here are some examples of the type of commendation letters you might be able to receive recognizing a new Eagle Scout:

     

    A Senator

    A Former Senator

    A Former President

    A Business Leader

    A Military Official

    A Governor

     

    (Thanks to Barbara Moss for suggesting adding some sample letters.)

     

    | return to the top of page |

     

    Eagle Commendation Letter Addresses

    This is a list of dignitaries names, addresses and salutations, for the purpose of
    requesting commendation letters to Eagle Scouts. The addresses are divided into
    groups as shown in the Table of Contents.

    If your requests for commendation letters are returned, or you have corrected address or name information, would you please help us keep this list up to date?  Please send update information or suggestions for names to add to this list (with addresses, please) to the webmaster at Eaglescout.org .  Thank you.

    Table of Contents

    US Government

    The Current Administration

    Here are some place to start for Congressional e-mail addresses:
    Official:
    http://www.house.gov/representatives/
    http://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/  

    The President
    The White House
    Attn: Greetings Office
    Washington, D.C. 20502-0039
    Mr. President

    Vice President Joseph R. Biden
    The White House
    Washington, D.C. 20502-0039
    Mr. Vice-President

    Senator [the name of your U.S. Senator]
    United States Senate
    Washington, DC 20510

    Congressman/woman [the name of your local
    Congressperson]
    Congress of the United States
    House of Representatives
    Washington, DC 20515

    Boy Scout Program Manager
    National Park Service
    1849 C Street NW
    Washington, DC 20240

    U.S. Air Force
    (Request a certificate online at  https://scouts.airforce.com/)

    Department of the Army
    (Request a certificate online at http://www.usarec.army.mil/support/YCR/ycr.htm)

    Office of the Assistant Secretary
    of Defense Public Affairs
    Director for Community Relations
    The Pentagon, Room 1E776
    Washington, DC 20301-1400

    Joint Chiefs of Staff

    If you want to receive a letter/certificate for an Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold Medal award to celebrate his/her accomplishment, please send a request letter to:

    Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
    9999 Joint Staff Pentagon
    Washington, D.C. 20318-9999

    Please include the full name of the scout, Troop number, date of honor ceremony or date acknowledged for passing Eagle Scout/Girl Scout Gold Award requirements and return address. Return postage is not required. In order to expedite your request, please consolidate multiple awardees into ONE (1) troop request. Due to mail handling procedures, allow 4 - 5 weeks for processing. 

    Commandant of Cadets
    U.S. Air Force Academy
    Colorado Springs, CO 80840-5421

    Justice Clarence Thomas
    Supreme Court of the United States
    Washington, DC 20543

    Justice Stephen Breyer
    Supreme Court of the United States
    Washington, DC 20543

    Justice Anthony Kennedy
    Supreme Court of the United States
    Washington, DC 20543
     
    US Fish and Wildlife Service
    (A self-serve certificate is now available.  Go to http://www.fws.gov/educators/pdfs/BS-eagle.pdf)

    Drug Enforcement Administration
    Attn: Information Affairs Coordinator
    Office of the Administrator
    8701 Morrissette Drive
    Springfield, VA 22152
     

    The Boy Scouts of America

    Glenn Adams
    President
    National Eagle Scout Association
    P.O. Box 152079
    Irving, TX 75015-2079  

    Business and Industry

    International Association of Lions Clubs
    300 22nd Street
    Oak Brook, IL 60521-8842

    Muhtar Kent
    The Coca Cola Company
    P.O. Drawer 1734
    Atlanta, GA 30301

    National Football League
    280 Park Avenue
    New York, NY 10017

    Mr. Hector De J. Ruiz
    Executive Chairman
    Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    P.O. Box 3453
    Sunnyvale, CA 94088
     

    Astronauts
     
    NASA receives a large number of requests for Eagle commendation letters.  NASA is now requesting that all requests be sent to the following address:

    NASA Johnson Space Center
    CB/Astronaut Office
    Attn: Eagle Scout Court of Honor
    Houston, TX 77058

    The Astronaut Office will respond with one letter on behalf of the astronaut corps.

    Previous Presidents  

    Office of George W. Bush
    P.O. Box 259000
    Dallas, TX 75225-9000

    Jimmy Carter
    Attn: Correspondence Office
    The Carter Center
    453 Freedom Parkway
    Atlanta, GA 30307 
    (or fax the request to 404-331-0283 )

    President William J. Clinton
    and Hon. Hillary Rodham Clinton
    55 West 125th Street
    New York, N.Y. 10027

    President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush
    10000 Memorial Drive, Suite 900
    Houston, TX 77024 

    People

     
    General Charles E. Yeager General Yeager reports that he receives over 500 requests a week for Boy Scout commendations and can not respond to them all, so he responds to none.  To support the General Chuck Yeager Foundation, he will autograph items for $50 each.  The General Chuck Yeager Foundation is dedicated to the enhancement and enrichment of young people’s lives through programs that are focused on the principles that General Yeager has exemplified.  www.chuckyeager.com

    Mr. Ralph Nader Open Letter to the Boy Scouts of America  

    I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many thousands of you who have written to lists of well-known people over the last few years and extend my apologies for not being able, due to time constraints and resources, to respond personally to each one of you. And that is why I'm writing to you collectively now.  

    It is my hope that you will channel that same youthful enthusiasm and goodwill to the areas where you can make a difference. You are the leaders of tomorrow and now that we're going through one of the most challenging of times in the history of this country, is when you are needed most.  

    So now it's up to you. You must decide how you want our history to read. My best advice to you is to become critical thinkers. Read, read and read some more. Learn about history and politics. Watch what is going on in your local communities and question your leaders. If you don't agree with them, do something about it. This is where you must channel your efforts.   You can learn a lot from the books I and my associates have written. Just go to my website "Votenader.org" or read the weekly alerts at "Nader.org". You'll find a lot of useful information to start with, and hopefully enough to encourage you to go further.  

    You are the Boys Scouts of America, show our country what you can do for them. Become the leaders this country so urgently needs.  

    For Justice,  

    Ralph Nader

    Mr. Craig A. Moon
    President and Publisher, USA Today
    Gannett Co., Inc. Headquarters
    7950 Jones Branch Drive
    McLean, VA 22108-0605

    Mr. Sean McManus
    President, CBS News
    524 W. 57th St.
    New York, NY 10019

    Mr. Wade Phillips
    Coach, The Dallas Cowboys
    One Cowboys Parkway
    Irving, TX 75063-4727
     
     
    Mr. Ted Turner 
    Turner Broadcasting, Inc. 
    P.O. Box 105366 
    Atlanta, GA 30348

    Mr. Turner, as with many on this and other lists, receives so many requests that he can no longer reply to them all.  However, he does want to recognize the Eagle Scouts, and has requested the letter at right be posted on his behalf.  Please copy the text to a form or letter as you want it printed for your Eagle Scout.

    Dear Eagle Scout:
     
    Congratulations on attaining the highest ranking within Scouting.   The realization of this outstanding achievement will undoubtedly lead to successes and accomplishments throughout your life.  Best wishes for the future.
     
    Very truly yours,
     
    Ted Turner
     

    Mr. Jerry Jones
    Owner, The Dallas Cowboys
    Cowboys Center
    One Cowboy Parkway
    Irving, TX 75063-4727

    Mr. Samuel J. Palmisano
    Chairman & CEO
    IBM Corp.
    Old Orchard Rd.
    Armonk, NY 10504

    Mr. Steve Capus
    President, NBC News
    30 Rockefeller Plaza
    New York, NY 10012

    Mr. David Westin
    President, ABC News
    Capital Cities/ABC Inc.
    47 W 66th St.
    New York, NY 10023

    John C. Sigler, President
    National Rifle Association
    11250 Waples Mill Rd.
    Fairfax, VA 22030

    Mr. Edwin Feulner, Jr.
    President
    The Heritage Foundation
    214 Massachusetts Ave., NE
    Washington, DC 20002

    The Roman Catholic Church

    His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI

    Apostolic Palace
    00120 Vatican City State, EUROPE

    Most Holy Father
    Your Holiness' most humble servant,
     

    The LDS Church

    The Young Men General Presidency
    Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
    47 East South Temple Street
    Salt Lake City, UT 84150
     

    The Lutheran Church

    National Lutheran Assoc. of Scouters offers a certificate to recognize recipients of the Eagle Scout award.  The certificate can be requested at http://www.nlas.org/certreq.htm.

    Knights of Pythias

    The Knights of Pythias would like to present a certificate and patch to every eagle scout.  You can request the certificate and patch by downloading and submitting this document.

    Scouting

    The Scout Association,
    The Gilwell Park Campsite,
    Chingford, London, E4 7QW, United Kingdom
     

    | return to the top of page |

    Please direct all inquiries & submissions to the webmaster at Eaglescout.org

    Last update:  2/5/16