Golden Eagle Awards presented to husband and wife who serve the community

FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Central Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America honored Thomas and Barbara Palmer with the Golden Eagle Award for their exemplary and unselfish service to the Middle Georgia community. The 2023 Golden Eagle Award Dinner took place on Thursday, April 27 at 6:30 in the Thomas and Barbara Palmer Ballroom of Fort Valley State University’s C.W. Pettigrew Center.

Speaker Jade Phelps stepped up to the podium and spoke on how honoring distinguished citizenship, delivers a message to the youth that character counts. She thanked the many sponsors of the Central Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Phelps stated that, in honor of Tom and Barbara Palmer, $20,580 had been raised to support the local scouting program.

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Guest speaker, Reverend Dr. Jane Thomas spoke on Thomas and Barbara Palmer. She stated that the Palmers are the epitome of servant leaders and that they excel both as individuals and as partners. She spoke of proudly honoring their stories of hope, healing, and inspiration, stating that they were lessons for everyone to learn.

Dr. Thomas quoted Robert K. Greenleaf, founder of the modern Servant leadership movement, stating, “The servant leader is a servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Servant leaders focus primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong.” Dr. Thomas praised the Palmers, stating they share power, put the needs of others first, and help people perform as highly as possible. She stated that they are leaders that serve the greater good.

Guest speaker, Gordon Davis spoke on his life knowing the Palmers. He praised them both for the work they’ve done and the many lives they touched. He spoke on Tom and Barbara’s character and the pride and love the community feels towards them.

County Administrator April H. Hodges stepped forward to present a proclamation from the Peach County Board of Commissioners. Chairman Martin Moseley, a close friend of the Palmers, asked Hodges to present the proclamation in his stead. The proclamation offers congratulations, honors Thomas and Barbara Palmer, and thanks them for their service to the community and scouting.

At the start of the evening, event committee Chairman Benjamin Roundtree spoke on the benefits that come from the scouting programs, citing the important qualities embodied in the scout’s law; trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Roundtree called on scouts to come and lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation.

Roundtree stated that the Central Georgia Council serves 24 counties in the central Georgia area and within those 24 counties, the council serves over 2,800 youth and registered adult leaders through Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Exploring. Two scouts stepped forward to speak on what scouting meant to them.

At Barbara’s request, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. member Garren M. Walker performed a beautiful rendition of Jessy Dixon’s “I Am Redeemed”.