The Scoutmaster signed the paperwork on June 8, 1954, but never submitted it, leaving Edward Holbrook believing he would never receive his Eagle Scout badge from the Boy Scouts of America.

"Scouts had to earn their Eagle Scout badge by the time they were 18 years old," he said Tuesday, sitting in his office at Holbrook Specialties in Gladstone. "I had 20 of the 21 (required) merit badges. I was missing the Citizenship in Nations merit badge."

That was the badge with the unsubmitted paperwork.

Holbrook, now 71, went on with his life -- career, marriage and raising two sons, Craig, 48, and David, 43, both Eagle Scouts. Since 1970, he has again been involved with Scouting one way or another, including being a Scoutmaster of Cascade Pacific Council Troop 258. As a Scoutmaster, he helped 35 boys earn Eagle Scout rank.

In 1992, Holbrook earned the Silver Beaver Award, the Boy Scouts' highest recognition, for distinguished service to youth.

He proudly watched his sons enjoy Scouting and was thrilled to see his grandsons -- Jake, 13; Cade, 11; and Ian, 12 -- become Boy Scouts. His 7-year-old granddaughter, Lorien, is a Girl Scout.

A practical and humble man, Holbrook blinked back tears as he recalled the events that led to him receiving his Eagle Scout badge.

A couple of years ago, Larry Clark, a ranger at Camp Baldwin in Gresham, asked Holbrook if he had any photographs from when he was a camp master at Camp Baldwin. Holbrook said no but promised to ask friends at his grade school reunion.

"A friend didn't find any photographs, but we did find my last merit badge slip that was signed and never turned in," Holbrook said.

Just knowing he had accomplished the tasks needed to earn an Eagle Scout badge was enough for Holbrook.