Since they were youngsters, Kendall Sullivan, Eric Rothmier and Brett Watkins have been as close as blood brothers.
The threesome grew up within a stone’s throw of each other on Northwest 13th Street in Blue Springs. Despite their many differences, 16-year-old Kendall and 15-year-old Eric and Brett are as close today as three friends can possibly be.
Bonding these three Blue Springs High School sophomores together was their affiliation with the Boy Scouts – their No. 1 love. All are members of Troop 138, sponsored by Mission Woods Community of Christ. All advanced through Cub Scouts and crossed the bridge to Scouting at the same time in 2005.
On April 11, they will receive Scouting’s highest rank – the Eagle Award – at a 2 p.m. Court of Honor at the Mission Woods Church. Blue Springs Mayor Carson Ross will participate in the service, as will an American Legion Post 499 representative, who will present a flag to each honoree.
Completing the lengthy and arduous trek to Eagle is a feat most Scouts never achieve. Only 2 percent of all Boy Scouts reach this Scouting pinnacle.
Eagle Scouts Kendall, Eric and Brett are to be commended for reaching this Scouting milestone – an amazing achievement considering the uniqueness of these bosom buddies, who grew up as neighbors and advanced through Scouting together, supporting each other through the ranks.
The odds of them obtaining the rank of Eagle are even greater considering the fact they remained friends all these years and considering none moved away or dropped out of Scouting or gave up their quest for Eagle.
What transpired in their young lives could be called a miracle – “The Miracle on Northwest 13th Street” – according to the second definition in Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, which says a miracle is “an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing or accomplishment.” It is truly that.
Sitting in Kendall’s home on the living room sofa, the Scouts reminisced about the past, and the future and shared their inner feelings about one another.
Eric recalls meeting Kendall and Brett for the first time as a second grader as they played outside. Although he was new kid on the block, Eric was not intimidated, he recalls, even though his new playmates were bigger than he.
“They looked like they were having fun ... so I thought I would join them, and they welcomed me in just fine.”
The roots for a long-lasting friendship was planted, Brett says, when Eric’s father became one of the den leaders of the Cub pack Brett and Kendall attended.
“So we all went from there and got to know each other better.”
Though many friendships come and go, the central thread that bonded them and kept their friendship sturdy, they say, was “doing Scouts together.”
“We always stay in a tent together (on campouts), Kendall says, noting this friendship has made getting to Eagle easier because of the support system they have established for one other.
Living close to each other all these years also helped cement this friendship, Eric says, explaining help was only a house or two away, if needed.
“Going out on campouts and other things,” he states, “is a kind of bond you can’t get outside of Scouts. So, that’s pretty cool.”
Since Scouting is the glue holding the honor students together, all agree their friendship probably wouldn’t be as strong as it is if not for Scouting.
“I still think we would have been good friends,” Kendall says, “but I don’t think it would be the same, because we have something in common as Scouts,” he explains. “We know what it is like ... being at camp for 10 days and trying to make it through... .That connects you in a better way than just being neighbors, so that is kind of special.”
Also special is what Scouting has given to the threesome. For Kendall, “A catalyst to start the maturing process.” Eric says Scouting taught him leadership and Brett credits Scouting with helping him to grow up and to think about what he was doing.
One of the things Kendall, Eric and Brett did to demonstrate their leadership skills was their Eagle Scout projects.
Kendall opted to paint the outdoor crosswalks and gym at James Lewis Elementary School, where he attended, as well as doing some landscaping in front of the building.
Eric selected the Three Trails Salvation Army Camp in Independence. There he led a team of Scouts and adults in restoring a wilderness trail that took 140 hours to complete.
He also helped raise $460 for project expenses.
Brett painted four classrooms at Timothy Lutheran Church, Blue Springs, where he attends. He also added chair rails to all the repainted walls.
Looking ahead to college, marriage and going their separate ways, Kendall, Eric and Brett are sure of one thing: They’ll never forget their friendship and each other. Never!
As for how they wanted to be remembered, Kendall wants Eric and Brett to remember him “for being there for them” in times of need or assistance.
“I am always going to be there for them.”
Eric, though, hopes his friends will remember him for his trustworthiness.
“(As) someone they could always come to, and I would always be there for them... .”
On the other hand, Brett wants his legacy to be that of an outdoorsman, one who likes to hunt and fish. But more importantly, a person who can be trusted.
As for the future, Kendall, a 240-pound tackle on the Wildcats’ football team and shot-put tosser and discus hurler on the track team, wants to attend the School of Pharmacy at the University of Kansas.
Eric, a member of the Golden Regiment Marching Band, plans to attend college and major in engineering. But where?
He’s not sure.
Brett, who is active in many school activities, sees himself as a pilot someday. “I really want to fly planes.”
Kendall, Eric, Brett, thanks for your outstanding achievements in Scouting, as well as exemplifying what genuine friendship is all about.
May the memories of your friendships last forever and may your friendships never wane.
May the Lord God richly bless you in all of life’s endeavors.
