Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Battalion Admin [Click to enlarge]

"On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."

The Boy Scout oath was a guide by which 21-year-old Christian Scrogum lived his life, his family recalls. After moving to Bastrop, Texas, from Houston before the third grade, he became, and remained, a member of Boy Scout Troup 187.

He quickly climbed up the ladder to become an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow.

"He was real proud to be an Eagle Scout and exhibited those characteristics everyday," said his father, Carl Scrogum. "He was very mature for his age - very kind, courteous, obedient, responsible and showed lots of interest in what he did, especially with service projects and helping people."

Scrogum dedicated a tremendous amount of effort to school, extra-curricular activities and work. Christian earned his letter jacket as a trumpeter in the Bastrop High School band.

He continued his studies after high school, graduating from Austin Community College with an associate degree in pre-veterinary medicine in May 2008. He graduated with honors as treasurer of Phi Theta Kappa, an honor society.

"He was so much like me - I didn't realize the full extent of it until I went through some of his files and papers," Carl said. "Looking back on it, I remember certain things he asked me and now putting two and two together makes the resemblance that much closer."

The firstborn of three boys, Christian proved to be a responsible older brother, his father said. He served as a leader for Troup 187, while his younger brother served as a member.

"Christian, myself and his younger brother went on a high adventure outing with the Scouts not too long before the accident," he said. "Christian and I were adult leaders while his younger brother was a member of the Scouts at the time. We climbed the Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas, and it was one of the greatest moments we spent together."

Christian had been accepted as a junior at Texas A&M for the fall semester and had prepared to move to the Bryan-College Station area before a fatal car accident on Aug. 19. He planned to work on his degree in biomedical science and pursue a career as a veterinarian.

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