On Oct. 20 at the Gales Ferry Firehouse, Loy Hayes thanked everyone for attending the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Wesley Hughes, the fourth Hughes family member to enjoy an Eagle Scout ceremony.

Hayes also mentioned that his twin sons are also Eagle Scouts, Hayes is Wesley’s grandfather.

Gary Campbell Jr., lead pastor from the Groton Bible Chapel, gave the invocation and said all the Eagle Scout ceremonies he has been to have all had the last name Hughes. This drew a chuckle from the crowd. Wesley’s sister, Katelyn Hughes, who is also a Scout, and Kyle Caswell read the Scout Law.

As Troop 36 Scoutmaster Chris McNeil said, “Over the years Wesley has served as a den chief, senior patrol leader and troop guide. When you see these accolades, they stand out. Wesley is a young man doing and living his Scout program.”

McNeil said completing an Eagle project is a major accomplishment, but “the object of the project is not successful completion, but rather the value and experience the scout gains in defining their project, working with their benefiting organization, planning the details of the project and organizing the workforce to complete the service. The project is an experience in leadership.”

Bill Day, Wesley’s Eagle project coach, said the project started because there was a lack of a bridge on the Billings-Avery Brook on the millpond dam (Avery West, which is partly on land owned by Avalonia Land Conservancy and Parks & Recreation). It was the harder of the projects that Wesley had under consideration, but it captured Wesley’s imagination, he added.

The site was not easily accessible. It was in the woods about a half a mile along a hilly trail and required spanning a 24-foot area of the brook.

According to Day, “Building the bridge was not the real challenge; it was building a bridge that would withstand the spring runoff.”

Wesley’s Eagle Scout badge was pinned by his mom Michelle Hughes as father Scott looked on. The Eagle’s Mentors Pin was given to Bill Day and Luann Perkins by Wesley Hughes. This is a pin given to people who have provided guidance and mentorship during the Eagle Scout journey.

Wesley’s oldest brother David read a statement by his mother Michelle.

“Scouting has always been a family affair, Scott and Michelle have done their best to make sure that their children found a place in scouts.”

Michelle’s twin brothers also were Eagle Scouts.

“And now we are blessed with four young men who have reached the rank of Eagle and one daughter who plans to be an Eagle Scout by 2022,” Michelle’s statement read. “Our quiet little Wesley has grown, matured and developed into a leader through the scouting years. We are proud of him for earning his Eagle rank.”

Ledyard Mayor Fred Allyn III declared, “Wesley, you are a proven leader because you have persevered, it has taken a tremendous amount of effort to get where you have gotten. Wherever life’s journey takes you, do not be afraid to step up and be a leader.”

Wesley concluded by thanking his brothers for inspiring and motivating him. He thanked his parents for their overall love and support, which has been his driving force toward his Eagle Scout and for his journey in life.

For college Wesley has applied to the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy and to MIT (ROTC). Wesley will now be a registered adult leader for the Boy Scouts of America.

Katelyn Hughes aims to become an Eagle Scout in 2020 which would make her the fifth Hughes sibling to obtain this award.

Aidan Schuler is a student at The Williams School in New London and Ledyard resident.