Eagle Scout award earned – Thomas R. Padula

In 1972, eight-year old Tommy Padula of Lunenburg, Massachusetts decided he wanted to become a Cub Scout.  Tommy joined Special Needs Troop 823 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and nearly 38 years later at the age of 46, he has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Tommy was born with Downs Syndrome, so his journey to Eagle was not an easy one. Tommy persevered, however, and on November 7, 2010 as the Boy Scouts of America celebrate their 100^th Anniversary, a Court of Honor was held to present Tommy with Scouting’s highest honor. Of the nearly 2 million Scouts who have achieved the rank of Eagle, only 46 have been Scouts with Special Needs. Tommy will become number 47.

The journey to Eagle has not been easy or quick for Tommy but if you ask him, he will tell you that he has enjoyed every minute of it.  Tommy has earned nearly 50 Merit Badges (only 21 are required to become an Eagle Scout) including First Aid, Life Saving and Citizenship. He has attended a week-long session at Boy Scout Camp Wanocksett in Jaffrey, New Hampshire each summer for over 20 years. A few years ago, while at camp, Tommy participated in a one-mile swim across Thorndike Pond. It took him 3 hours and 43 minutes to complete the swim but he never gave up. Many people cheered Tommy on that day and the only one who was not surprised that he actually completed the swim was Tommy.  Once again, he knew that perseverance would pay off in the end.

Tommy has also held various leadership positions during his years in Scouts including Senior Patrol Leader.  He is also vigil Honor Member of the order of the Arrow.

Patriotism and respect for his country have always been very important to Tommy and one of his favorite days of the year is Independence Day.  Tommy, along with Troop 823, has marched in the Fourth of July Civic Days Parade in downtown Fitchburg since 1986 carrying his American flag and waving to the crowd like a movie star.  Each year, a few weeks before Christmas, he can be found ringing a bell while collecting donations along with members of Troop 823 for the Salvation Army at the Mall at Whitney Field in Leominster, MA.  Last year was extra special since Tommy had spent the months leading up to the holiday season working on his Eagle Scout project – sanding, repairing, and painting 13 kettle/tripod sets  for the Fitchburg Salvation Army. Standing next to his accomplishment and receiving many compliments on the attractive shiny red kettles made him very proud.

Thirty-eight years after he began his journey to Eagle, Tommy  finally received the award he has been working towards for most his life.  Many people along the way doubted that a kid with special needs could ever achieve such a prestigious award but not Tommy. He knew all along that if he persevered, he would succeed. And boy did he succeed.