Roasted Eagle

April 3, 2025

Thanks to everyone who came to the 2025 Piedmont Scouting Council Annual Recognition Dinner. “Roasted Eagle” was on the menu!

The final presentation was my Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, with my thank-you speech preceded by a kind and touching introduction by my good Piedmont friend and fellow Eagle Scout Glen Tripp. My lifelong Salinas friend and Eagle Scout Hugh McDevitt was unable to attend. So I compiled the original press release; Hugh’s funny and wistful childhood memories; Glen’s wonderful live tribute; and the video of Glen and me filmed by my Eagle Scout son, Stewart, all in this compiled “director’s cut” version. I even included a number of links to events that made a difference in my life, including my family’s memorials to my parents and brother.

(drumroll) So here it is:

Rob James Distinguished Eagle Scout Award Presentation Transcript and Video

There are generous helpings of moments of embarrassment, moments of pride, and especially moments of gratitude to so many friends I’ve made along a long, long way. Thanks for indulging me.

Enjoy!