WHITMAN — Being identical twins often means you have to share a birthday cake.
However, on Saturday, Jan. 12, as twin brothers Kyle and Brandon O’Brien, 18, of Whitman earned their pins as Eagle Scouts there were two giant cakes – one for each of them.
The notion was a quirky one that twin Brandon laughed at as he mingled with other fellow Eagle Scouts, friends and family, all who attended in support of their greatest achievement.
The teens, who attend Whitman-Hanson and are three-season athletes, maintain good grades and now have earned Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.
They spend a lot of time together but also are autonomous of one another. They will be sharing the stage once again as they graduate this June from Whitman-Hanson.
A picture is worth a thousand words and the memories came flooding back in a collage of photographs documenting the boys growing up during their scouting years.
“One cool thing — coming here for the court of honor — is seeing a bunch of the pictures of us over the years from (as far back) as Cub Scouts as well,” Brandon said. “It’s nice to see friends who have come back. Our friend Matt O’Brien is here. Seeing the fun stuff we did when we were younger.”
The O’Briens will be leaders in the troop continuing the tradition of giving back, they are planning on mentoring as they age out of the Scouts at age 18.
Whitman Selectman Vice Chairman Dan Salvucci was present for the pinning ceremony, offering compliments to the teens’ success in the irjourney of becoming Eagle Scouts. He also has an adult set of twins — one who became an Eagle Scout. He is now a firefighter paramedic in the town of Natick.
“Being an Eagle Scout will set a tone in your life where other people will look at you and they will know that you will follow through on any project that you start. It is very rewarding to be that type of person,” Salvucci said.
Scout Master Jim Dwyer was host of the occasion presenting the boys with honored certificates, reciting their pledge, and stating their attainment as Eagle Scout, which is the highest achievement or rank within Boy Scouts of America.
Kyle called it a great day in regard to the celebration and finalizing of their Eagle Scout honor.
They balance music, grades, and finishing their six-year journey of Scouting seeing the completion through to top honors.
The management of time had its challenges but the conclusion was well worth it, he added.
They have siblings: a fellow scout and younger brother Aiden, 15, Owen, 20, and youngest sister Katie, 12.
College is the next step, with Brandon looking at a career in electrical technology and Kyle looking at programs in sports medicine. Although neither teen is fully committed to a specific college yet, their future seems bright, indeed.
The final project for attainting Eagle Scout was done at the East Bridgewater Public Library. The O’Briens finished painting the youth room and also made a bench for adults.
The parents have been instrumental as these boys earned their Eagle Scout, Dwyer said.
With great pride mom Carrie O’Brien pinned her sons with their Eagle Badges and received a pin herself. Dad Sean O’Brien also received a pin from each son. They presented their mom with flowers at the culmination of the Scouts meeting.
“The boys also achieved an additional honor for earning badges above and beyond what they needed. They received a bronze palm as well on their pins,” said Dwyer.
The teens also pinned and acknowledged mentors Dave Nawrocki and Jonathan White assistant scout masters as adults who shaped and motivated their journeys as Scouts.
The event was followed by a light meal, refreshments and two cakes meant to be shared with those who have seen the young men through their passage into adulthood and achievement top honor as Eagle Scouts.