FLEMING ISLAND – Michael Garrick reached into a bag and pulled out items from his days as a Scout, including his Eagle Scout coffee mug and sash with 21 badges.

Once a Scout, always a Scout.

The retired U.S. Navy captain entered Scouting’s highest rank in 1989, and he wanted this year’s group of scouts to know they never will lose that distinction.

“This is permanent,” he said.

Five months after getting his Eagle neckerchief, Garrick embarked on a 33-year career in the military. He returned to be the Bartram Trail District induction at Sacred Heart Catholic Church last Saturday to deliver the keynote address.

Garrick said as a teen, he quickly realized the oaths for the Navy and Scouts mirrored each other, and he said the values and principles learned through Scouting prepared him for success in the Navy.

“You’ve demonstrated character; you’ve learned competencies and oaths, and those are going to set you apart as leaders in the society,” Garrick said. “You’re a testimony to your families. And I think that everybody here would agree that earning Eagle Scout means a great number of things.”

For Fleming Island’s Karl Bolt, it meant embracing the challenge of hiking and camping at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. For Orange Park’s Lance Ambrosio, it meant creating friendships with fellow Scouts.

And for Madelyn and Francesca Considine, it meant continuing a proud family tradition.

“What I like most is meeting new people,” Ambrosio said.

He created a butterfly garden at the Ortega Methodist Church in Jacksonville for his Eagle Scout project. He is now a freshman studying biology and environmental studies at Rollins College in Winter Park.

Bolt built two book share boxes and placed one at the entrance to the Eagle Harbor pool and the other at the back pool.

“My project was suggested to me,” he said. “We got the materials and design, and there was some trial and error. It was challenging.”

The Considine sisters became the third in their Keystone Heights family to become an Eagle. Their father, Frank, achieved the rank nearly 30 years ago.

Their mother, Jacqueline and sisters Evelyn and Penelope, are all involved in Scouting.

To earn the rank of Eagle, scouts had to earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, including badges in first aid, citizenship in the community, nation and world, communication, cooking, personal fitness and emergency preparation or lifesaving. They also were required to serve in a leadership role, complete a board of review and enlist help and finances for a project to benefit the community.

Bartram Trail’s 39 inductees combined to donate 7,436 hours and raise $31,118.80.

This year’s Eagles received light blue neckerchiefs created for the newly-formed Bartram Trail District. The district was reshaped a year ago to include scouts from Clay, Putnam and Baker counties. Eagles from the former Black Creek District received white neckerchiefs.

Each new Eagle received an array of citations from the sheriff’s office from all three counties, the Clay County School Board, County Commission, Rotary Club of Orange Park, U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean, Florida Sen. Jennifer Bradley, Florida Reps. Sam Garrison and Bobby Payne and Sons of the American Revolution.

Garrick closed by telling the younger Scouts what he believes is the most important aspect of being an Eagle.

“Earning this goal is not the end of this journey,” he said. “It’s the beginning. I am humbled to be able to call myself to be in your ranks.”