Marcus DeBry of Troop 486 and a resident of Richmond Hill has earned the honor of Eagle Scout, the highest rank that the Boy Scouts offers. Only 3 to 4 percent of Boy Scout members ever attain this prestigious honor.

DeBry, 16, is the son of Benoit and Betsy DeBry and a junior at Benedictine Military School in Savannah. He earned the 21 merit badges required to receive the Eagle Scout award as well as 14 additional badges, one of highest badge totals earned in the troop’s history.

For his Eagle Scout project, DeBry planned and installed a pro-life memorial garden at St. Anne Catholic Church. His vision was to create a garden where men and women who were grieving over the loss of their unborn children could have a place to pray and remember. His project required raising over $5,000 and more than 150 work hours to complete.

“I am grateful for my family’s support, and for the skills and friendships being a Scout has brought to my life,” DeBry said. “I learned many lessons about leadership, responsibility and good citizenship, plus I had a lot of fun.”

The ceremony honoring Marcus took place on Oct. 1 at St. Anne’s. Honored guests included a detachment from the Marine Corps League #1326, and his uncle, Lt. Colonel Benedict Buerke, VMFA 312 Squadron Commander at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, S.C., who presented Marcus with a special Marine Corps commendation certificate and challenge coin. A dinner reception followed.