Jonathan Brown, an Eagle Scout himself, guesses the truth lies somewhere in the middle. "You have a Scoutmaster who's a stickler, which is his right. You have a boy who's quiet. My guess? It's a tragedy of miscommunication."
Closure
On Saturday, stars and stripes festooned the walls of the Flag House. Commendations from 70 dignitaries - a Supreme Court justice, Congressmen, both presidents Bush - filled a notebook. The daughters had procured them. Fifty well-wishers, including two of his sisters and a 10-year-old nephew, a Cub Scout, took their seats.
Jena, Sarah and Rachel were part of an hour-long ceremony. They read aloud the Eagle Scout Obligations: To be loyal, to serve, to be courageous.
Paula Ehmann read the final one. "Many people will follow you," she read. "Only with vision will you lead them in the right direction. Let the silver eagle hanging from your badge remind you of vision."
Ehmann was asked to name an important mentor. As he pinned a medal on his father, Walter Ehmann was crying.
Ehmann has spoken of closure, of completing something that "maybe shouldn't have been left open." He hopes, above all, that no one will think badly of any person involved. Things happen for a reason, he says. After 35 years, he has more people to share this with than ever.
jonathan.pitts@baltsun.com
