Matthew Oertel Receives Eagle Scout Award

Matthew Oertel, a Boy Scout in Troop 441 of the Bee Cave District Capital Area Council, received the coveted Eagle Scout award during an Eagle Court of Honor at Abiding Love Lutheran Church in late 2011.
Matthew, 14, has been an avid scout since he began his journey as a Tiger Cub Scout in first grade. He advanced through Cubs Scouts, earned the Arrow of Light as a Webelo, then crossed over into Boy Scouts, and joined Troop 441 in 2010. Matthew has served in many leadership roles, including Den Chief, Chaplain’s Aide, Assistant Patrol Leader, Historian, and Troop Guide.
He has earned more than 65 of a possible 121 merit badges and is working on his final, or fourth, Boy Scout religious knot. Matthew has earned the World Conservation Award and is working on the Hornaday award.
Matthew has camped more than 100 nights, attended the 2010 National Jamboree, and provided over 200 hours of volunteer service. Many of his service hours were completed at the Abiding Love Lutheran Church Food Pantry.
A crowd of about 60 people witnessed Matthew’s Eagle Oath and Court of Honor, which was held at Abiding Love Lutheran Church. Adjacent to the church is the child care center where he built the deck for his Eagle project. The ceremony was truly a “family affair” -- scouts from Troop 441 participated as the color guard and in the opening ceremonies, while Matthew’s cousin Ben Haschke, a fellow Eagle Scout, served as Master of Ceremonies.
The Eagle Charge and Oath were administered by Matthew’s uncle, Greg Haschke, who is also an Eagle Scout. After the presentation of the Eagle Award, Haschke sang “On Eagle’s Wings” in a moving tribute to his nephew’s accomplishment.
“Matthew always gives his all to projects,” said Troop 441’s Scoutmaster Craig Dalton. “He is a very determined young man, and he’s made Troop 441 proud. I believe that the qualities that inspired him to earn his Eagle award will lead him to even greater success in his life.”
Matthew attends Lake Travis High School and is a member of the Pedernales Fire Department Explorer Post 8.









