Sixteen-year-old Loma “Lake” Laird celebrated an Eagle Scout milestone on October 20, 2026, aboard a blue GO RIO barge on the San Antonio River Walk. According to the event organizers, GO RIO described the gathering as the first Eagle Scout Court of Honor held aboard a River Walk barge.
The ceremony recognized an achievement that spans three generations of the Laird family. Lake’s grandfather, Dr. Loma Lavelle Laird, earned Eagle Scout in 1949, and his uncle, Trenton Laird, earned the rank in 1985. Lake earned his Eagle Scout rank on March 5, 2026, continuing the family’s tradition of Scouting and service.
Senior leaders from Scouting America’s Alamo Area Council attended, including Scout Executive Ryan Harris. Scouts, veterans, family members, and friends also gathered to recognize Lake’s accomplishment.
His path to Eagle Scout included a service project honoring local veterans. Lake led the creation of a memorial walkway at VFW Post 8541, bringing volunteers together to build a place of remembrance. Organizers said dozens of people contributed more than 1,200 service hours to the project.
The River Walk celebration came with an unexpected personal challenge: according to his family, Lake had only come out of a foot cast that morning. Following the ceremony, guests gathered at Texas River Bar for dinner and tributes.
For the Laird family, the occasion brought together decades of Scouting history and a new generation’s commitment to community service. Holding the Court of Honor on the River Walk gave the celebration a distinctly San Antonio setting.
