Nolan Long of Troop 16 was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on April 8 in a ceremony held at Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Eclipse.

The guest speakers at the ceremony were Assistant Scoutmaster Jeff Ward and Chief Emeritus Earl Bass of the Nansemond Indian Tribe. Many of Troop 16’s Eagle Scouts were also in attendance. During the ceremony, Nolan was recognized for his many accomplishments and dedication to Scouting.

Ward spoke on Long’s history in Scouting — beginning in the first grade as a Tiger in Pack 89 and leading all the way to Eagle Scout with Troop 16. Ward was chosen to speak as he has played an integral part in Nolan reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. During Long’s time with the troop, he earned 50 merit badges and had the opportunity to attend many camping trips, such as whitewater rafting, National Jamboree and, most recently, Sea Base in the Florida Keys. Nolan has held the positions of patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, quartermaster, historian, and Order of the Arrow troop representative.

Chief Emeritus Earl Bass spoke about Nolan’s Eagle project, which was construction of an Indian chief longhouse and storage enclosure at Mattanock Town. Mattanock Town is located along the Nansemond River and owned by the Nansemond Indian Tribe. The completion of Nolan’s project marked another addition by Troop 16 to the ongoing construction of the authentic village. Bass spoke of the work completed at Mattanock Town with great pride. Nolan worked with and learned from the living members of the Nansemond Tribe, who are direct descendants of the original tribe that lived on Suffolk’s Nansemond River in the early 1600s.

Construction of the approximately 26-foot-long, 13-foot-wide and 18-foot-tall longhouse began in April 2016. The project was funded with donations by Suffolk Elks Lodge 685, American Legion Post 88, Suffolk Business Women and others. Supplies for the project included approximately 60 reed mats, 10,000 feet of twine and more than 125 gum tree saplings, along with other supplies. Representatives from the Nansemond Indian Tribe taught Long and others how to shave the skins from the saplings with draw knives to prevent bug infestations and how to bend them into shape for the building’s structure. Construction bridged a few seasons, which meant Long and fellow Scout volunteers braved rain, snow, heat and cold weather to complete the project.