Gainesville First United Methodist Church could be Eagle Scout central on Sunday.

In a nod to the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary, Boy Scout Troop 16 is hoping 100 Eagle Scouts will show for a ceremony to honor 19 newly minted Eagles in the troop.

The public is invited to the ceremony, set for 9:40-10:30 a.m. at the church on Thompson Bridge Road.

Other notable Scouts, including Trip Selman, Scout executive for the Northeast Georgia Council, and Dick Leet, who served as the Boy Scouts’ national president from 1990 to 1992 and still serves on the national board, are set to attend, said Troop 16 Scoutmaster Robert Bruner.

“Anyone who would like to celebrate (the anniversary), we’d love to have them,” said Bruner, who has led the troop since 1988.
The troop, which meets at the church, has conferred the rank of Eagle to 100 Boy Scouts during his watch.

“We are really proud of them and all our Scouts,” he said.

To reach Eagle, a Scout must complete the requirements for at least 21 merit badges and a community service project not related to Scouting.

Bruner, a Gainesville dentist, said the troop is contacting past Eagles from its troop and other area troops.

“Scouting has been a big deal here for a long time,” he said.

The Northeast Georgia council is celebrating its 75th year. The national organization was founded on Feb. 8, 1910.

Wendy Cordova, the church’s pastor of evangelism and lay ministry, said the church also will recognize Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts on Sunday.

But the focal point will be the Eagles.

Cordova, who has attended one other Eagle Scout ceremony, said the event is exciting for all participants.

“I was very moved by the ceremony. The moms pin that eagle emblem on there. ... It’s very special,” she said.