An Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held for Kevin Esslinger May 22 at St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, Allentown.

During his five years in Cub Scouting and seven years in Boy Scouting, Esslinger earned 31 merit badges. He held leadership positions as bugler, Troop guide and assistant senior patrol leader.

For his Eagle Scout project, Esslinger planned and created a memorial garden at the cemetery of Jerusalem Western Salisbury Union Church in Allentown. A gravel stone path was created in a “U” shape and a circular flowering garden of deer-resistant perennials was added. Five benches in memory of loved ones were placed around the perimeter.

Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouting. Since 1912, more than two million Boy Scouts have earned the Eagle Scout rank.

In the words of the Eagle Scout Promise, Eagles do their best each day to make their training an example, their rank and their influence count strongly for better Scouting and for better citizenship in their Troop, in their community and in their contacts with other people. To this they pledge their sacred honor.

Esslinger is the 45th Eagle Scout in Troop 5.

Donald Miller was the first Eagle Scout in Troop 5 and in Lehigh County in 1922.