It takes hard work and dedication to become an Eagle Scout, the highest award bestowed by the Boy Scouts of America.

However, when Charlie Mooneyhan officially received the Eagle Scout badge on May 6, it not only culminated over a decade of work on the teenager’s part but three generations of love and support for scouting.

It’s one that the family believes has brought them closer together.

Charlie became the third of three brothers to become an Eagle Scout. As a matter of fact, his older brother Vic was the Scout Master who awarded him the title. Both of them, along with middle brother James, at one time or another had their father Garry as their Scout Master.

Garry’s involvement in scouting can be traced back to his father, who said he was never a scout himself as a boy, but got his four sons involved in the program.

“It means a lot to me to see those three boys make Eagle Scout, because we, as a family, are law-abiding citizens and we think things ought to be made better,” Charlie’s Grandfather Frank said. “We’re very happy to see that our grand children are following us in our beliefs.”

He said another of his sons, Charles Franklin Jr., was an Eagle Scout, and his son Ryan recently also attained Eagle Scout.

“I could see those three boys continuing on with it because of their father, though,” Frank said. “Their parents are the reason I could see it happen.”

Charlie is a senior at Richmond Senior High School and is active in the band. Thus, when he was brainstorming for an idea for his Eagle Scout project — his passion for the arts sparked his inspiration.

“When it came down to the Eagle project, I really wanted to do something with the fine arts in some form,” he said. “Then, I had the idea to paint the mural, because, you know, they used to call the marching band the pride of Richmond County. Back in the day, it was really big, just as big as the football team. So, it kind of gives them something to look forward to, so they can become the pride again.”

In the fall he is planning to attend Richmond Community College to begin studying to be a teacher. He believes the experience of climbing the ranks through scouting will help him attain this goal.

“The experience of becoming an Eagle Scout has also prepared me for the next level, college and then work,” he said. “It’s hard to describe, but it’s made me want to persevere. It teaches you to be able to get things done. For example, when you’ve got that final exam going on, you’ll have your work done. The motto is ‘Be prepared,’ so that tells you straight up right there.”

He will also continue his relationship with scouting.

“I think that, with me, I can kind of show them the benefits of doing what’s right,” he said. “That’s what the scouting program has done for me, so I can share first-hand experience. As soon as I graduate, I think I’m going to become an assistant scout master.”

Ether, Charlie’s mother, shared her thoughts on what scouting has meant for her sons, and in particular for Charlie.

“It really does help them become young men,” she said. “I’m so very fortunate that my husband and all three of my children have been involved in scouting. It helps them to be positive and active. I don’t know what they might have done or where they might be right now if not for the time they spent with scouting.”

Frank recalled raising four sons in scouting, and his life as father, Scout Master and friend.

“We would go camping a lot,” he said. “We were a camping family, and every Thanksgiving we’d go out in the woods and cook a turkey over that weekend. We’d take long bicycle trips and hikes with others in the group. We once went to Philmont, a Scout ranch in New Mexico and stayed in the woods 10 days.”

He didn’t see it as a conscious decision to push his children and grandchildren toward becoming an Eagle Scout.

“We just got involved with scouting, and that was part of the advancement,” he said. “We wanted to be good citizens, that was the major part of it, but it also kept them out of trouble, and it kept their mind on good things. You have to do a good turn everyday. That really helps you to think about others and be more honest, and it helps you to be more self-reliant.”

For Charlie, it wasn’t necessarily a choice for him as a young boy, but as a young adult he’s come to embrace a decision “that had been made for me.”

“It felt kind of like an obligation, but I went on to see that it did kind of encourage me to do it myself,” he said. “Eventually, as I got older, I decided I want to be good at this for myself. I’ve benefited, definitely.

“It’s helped me to make new friends. It’s helped me to break out of my shell and be more outgoing, and I’ve had a lot of fun experiences. I’ve definitely benefited.”