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North Caroline High School sophomore Hunter Durham, 15, is Caroline County’s latest Eagle Scout. For his Eagle project, Hunter installed a flagpole and paved ceremony space with benches in Greensboro Cemetery for the annual Wreaths Across America celebration, which honors veterans for their service by placing decorative wreaths on their gravesites each December. The national celebration is held at Arlington National Cemetery, with local celebrations taking place throughout the country.
Hunter is the son of Lisa and Andrew “Drew” Durham of Goldsboro and a member of Troop 165 in Denton, led by Scoutmaster Walt Palmer. Hunter is the 84th member of Troop 165 to earn his Eagle since the troop formed in 1934.
As a scout, Hunter had participated in Wreaths Across America ceremonies in Greensboro at the flagpole in town, after which people had to proceed to the cemetery for the actual laying of the wreaths. So, he was familiar with the event when the fire chief of Goldsboro Volunteer Fire Department approached him about the need for ceremony space in the cemetery itself. Hunter spoke to the cemetery officials, who embraced the idea, and he immediately began working on his proposal.
Eagle is the highest rank in scouting and an impressive achievement, Palmer said. Projects are a lot of paperwork -- a scout must come up with a plan, write a proposal, recruit helpers, work with a sponsor, actually carry out the project, then file a written report. Only around four out of every 100 scouts earn their Eagle.
“Hunter’s a good leader. He’s conscientious, and he has a good sense of humor,” Palmer said, adding, “He has the knowledge and ability to work with other scouts.”
The Del-Mar-Va Council approved Hunter’s community service project in October 2023. To raise funds, Hunter launched a letter writing campaign seeking donations from local businesses, organizations, and individuals.
The plan received a lot of community buy-in, Lisa Durham said. Hunter raised $11,000 and put 158 hours into the project.
Hunter’s fellow troop members and local residents were always ready to help. Installation of the flagpole took place in November 2023, in time for the 2023 Wreaths Across America celebration.
Last spring, the concrete went in for the sidewalks and ceremony area and landscaping was completed. The finishing touches were the placement of two granite benches – one purchased by the troop and the other donated by the local funeral home – and a monument dedicated to service members. The whole project was finished in time for the 2024 Wreaths Across America celebration.
One of the prerequisites for Eagle is earning 21 merit badges – 14 of those specifically required. Hunter earned 44. He said his favorite badge was metalworking, which he did during summer camp at the Henson Scout Reservation in Rhodesdale. Hunter made a Dutch oven hook and a crowbar.
He said his favorite scouting experience was Philmont Scout Camp in Cimarron, NM.
“We backpacked 83 miles across 10 days,” Hunter said. The hike included reaching the summit of Mt. Baldy.
He credited Joe Welsh’s influence in helping reach Eagle. Welch is the troop’s advancement chairman and helps the scouts stay on track.
“You can tell when scouts cross over who you think will go all the way. He was a very determined scout,” Welch said of Hunter.
After Hunter finished the project, he had to write up the final report and finish filling out his Eagle book. Welch read over the report with him before Hunter submitted it.
“He’s super smart, super intelligent. He just had it,” Welch said.
Hunter received final approval for his advancement to Eagle in December 2024, Palmer said.
Hunter’s official Court of Honor was held in February at the Goldsboro VFD, where he also was named VFW Scout of the Year by Post 5246 of Federalsburg.
VFW Commander Erik Peterson said, “We’re proud of him. He’s a pretty impressive kid.”
Hunter will represent Caroline County at the state level, Peterson said. The state winner goes on to national competition.
Hunter remains an active member of Troop 165 and continues to work with younger scouts. As for the future, he said he might like to study psychology or history.
