Coral WilsonGreat things seem to happen to...

Coral Wilson

Great things seem to happen to the Burns family of Costa Mesa every

30 years.

On Sunday, Christopher Michael Burns, 15, became an Eagle Scout,

the highest rank given to a Scout. It was 30 years ago in 1973, at

the age of 15, that his father, John Burns, was awarded the same

honor. And it was 60 years ago that Christopher’s grandfather,

Gardner Stoddard, became an Eagle Scout in 1943.

Christopher is also 30 years younger than his 45-year-old parents.

And he is 60 years younger than Stoddard, his 75-year-old

grandfather.

It happened as a coincidence, but it was no small accomplishment.

It is a ranking that is achieved by less than 2% of all boy scouts,

John Burns said. Especially now, most Boy Scouts tend to lose

interest as they get older, he said.

“It’s an honor,” Christopher said. “It’s a once in a lifetime

thing. You can’t go back and do it again. I’m glad I got it and I

won’t regret it.”

Scouts must move up through the Star and Life ranks, earn 21 merit

badges and complete an Eagle Scout project. Christopher of the

Newport Beach-based Troop 90 has already earned 38 merit badges and

his project included improvements to the Boys and Girls Club of Costa

Mesa where he grew up playing hockey.

The smell of fresh paint from the bright blue bleachers still

lingered in the air of the club’s gymnasium. And the bleachers were

immediately put to use, filled by family, friends, teachers and

fellow scouts who came to honor Christopher’s achievement.

While it has become a family tradition, Christopher said he really

did it for himself.

“It was part of my goals, something I wanted to get,” he said.

“After I got it, it made me realize I am one of a select few.”

Stoddard, who was a Boy Scout during World War II, said some

things were different then. His troop had to do all of their own

fundraising and he said he used to contribute to war effort by

collecting scrap metal for the salvage yards to be made into ships

and other war materials.

But some things never change.

“The basic life saving and all the good things you expect scouts

to do area all still the same,” he said. “The boy scouts have laws of

being patient and trustworthy, honest, faithful, loyal and all those

things.”

Along one end of the gymnasium, a display was set up, marking the

family’s scout heritage. Stoddard still had his scarf with a hand

painted eagle, his 24 merit badges, a compass and a rusty flashlight

with red and green filters for important Morse code messages.

“I’m sure my mother helped me save all this junk,” he said,

flipping through an old scrapbook.

Stoddard had the honor of placing the pin on Christopher’s shirt

for the first time. Members of the club joined the ceremony,

reminiscing and telling stories, commending Christopher for his

character.

Assistant Scoutmaster Adam Wright, 55, of Newport Beach said

becoming an Eagle Scout was something he wishes he had done when he

had the chance. When Christopher turns 18, he will receive a red,

white and blue knot badge that he can wear proudly on his shirt for

the rest of his life, Wright said.

“I know businessmen who have their diplomas on the wall, and next

to that, their Eagle Scout certificate -- it’s very impressive,” he

said. “I think every adult who was a Boy Scout and doesn’t make it to

Eagle Scout regrets it.”

* CORAL WILSON is the news assistant and may be reached at (949)

574-4298 or by e-mail at coral.wilson@latimes.com.