At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, the attendees processed from Headquarters to the Schlaanstine Chapel.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, the attendees processed from Headquarters to the Schlaanstine Chapel.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, the attendees processed from Headquarters to the Schlaanstine Chapel.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, the attendees processed from Headquarters to the Schlaanstine Chapel.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, the attendees processed from Headquarters to the Schlaanstine Chapel.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, the attendees processed from Headquarters to the Schlaanstine Chapel.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, the attendees arrive at Schlaanstine Chapel.

The Horseshoe TaberChapel Choir performs as attendees gather for the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, a choir provided many hymns before, during, and after the service. Here, Ian Wolfe provides the vocals while Dr. Dave Mellinger is performing on the organ.

The Horseshoe TaberChapel Choir sings at the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

At each location during the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, Ernie’s campaign hat was left in repose while various speakers or ceremonialists provided remarks.

Rev. Jim Goudie presents Ernie Heegard’s campaign hat at the chapel service.

The Horseshoe TaberChapel Choir sings at the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

The Horseshoe TaberChapel Choir sings at the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

The Horseshoe TaberChapel Choir sings at the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

The American Flag and Horseshoe Scout Reservation flag are presenting during the Celebration of Life Service for G. Ernest Heegard.

Rev. Jim Goudie presents Ernie Heegard’s campaign hat at the chapel service.

Rev. Jim Goudie places G. Ernest Heegard’s campaign hat in repose during the Celebration of Life service.

Rev. Jim Goudie directs the audience to reflect in prayer during the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

Dr. David Mellinger provides “The Spirit of the Horseshoe” reading during the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

“O you who have been imprisoned in the great buildings, breathing the dead air; Walking with broken feet upon the stony pathways; Pouring over books with eyes dulled by the glamour of the streets. Listen now to the lessons of the Spirit of the Horseshoe: Come, Scouts, with me into Manito’s great forest; There, your moccasined feet will learn to step as softly as the newly fallen leaf upon the earthly trails that wind through the arches of the great trees. Your eyes will become as keen as those of the Bald Eagle as he darts upon his quarry from the blue heavens. Your ears will open to the sound of the hunting beast as he stalks his kill. Your body will become as lithe as the pliant panther and your muscles as strong as the battling bear. Horseshoe will teach you to be true to your brother; To speak not with the snake’s dou ble tongue, but to guard your word, once pledged, that it will never be broken. In our pleasant valleys live health, happiness and sunshine; In our hills are hidden the age old secrets of the first Americans; Every morning you will be greeted by the sound of the birds. With this sign, I make you free to all the hidden mysteries of nature. I… the Spirit of the Horseshoe… have spoken!”

The Horseshoe TaberChapel Choir performs during the Celebration of Life service for Ernie Heegard.

The Horseshoe TaberChapel Choir performs during the Celebration of Life service for Ernie Heegard.

Rev. Jim Goudie provides a few scripture readings before his sermon on “Dust and Seeds”.

Rev. Jim Goudie gives a sermon about Dust and Seeds at the G. Ernest Heegard Celebration of Life service.

Rev. Jim Goudie gives a sermon about Dust and Seeds at the G. Ernest Heegard Celebration of Life service.

Rev. Jim Goudie gives a sermon about Dust and Seeds at the G. Ernest Heegard Celebration of Life service on June 22, 2024.

The Horseshoe TaberChapel Choir performs during the Celebration of Life service for Ernie Heegard.

Ian Wolfe sings during the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

The Horseshoe TaberChapel Choir performs during the Celebration of Life service for Ernie Heegard.

One of the Celebration of Life organizers, Mark Siegle, reads from the program during the chapel service.

The Horseshoe TaberChapel Choir performs during the Celebration of Life service for Ernie Heegard.

Rev. Jim Goudie invites the audience to sing “Nearer My God to Thee” at the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

The Horseshoe TaberChapel Choir performs during the Celebration of Life service for Ernie Heegard.

The beauty of the chapel was in full effect during the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

The color guard leaves the Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel during the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

While waiting to start the Achgeketum portion of the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life, attendees had to wait at Goodman pavilion until the “All Clear” was given.

Pete Motel informed the attendees of the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life that they had to wait at Goodman pavilion until the “All Clear” was given. A small thunderstorm cell was observed nearby, but it did not last for more than 15 minutes.

Pete Motel informed the attendees of the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life that they had to wait at Goodman pavilion until the “All Clear” was given. A small thunderstorm cell was observed nearby, but it did not last for more than 15 minutes.

While waiting to start the Achgeketum portion of the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life, attendees had to wait at Goodman pavilion until the “All Clear” was given.

Once the hard cover was lifted, attendees of the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life walked from Goodman Pavilion to Achgeketum Fire Circle.

Once the hard cover was lifted, attendees of the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life walked from Goodman Pavilion to Achgeketum Fire Circle.

Once the hard cover was lifted, attendees of the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life walked from Goodman Pavilion to Achgeketum Fire Circle.

Attendees of the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life walked from Goodman Pavilion to Achgeketum Fire Circle and encountered solemn ceremonialists along the way.

Attendees of the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life walked from Goodman Pavilion to Achgeketum Fire Circle and encountered solemn ceremonialists and the color guard along the way.

The color guard for the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life waits to enter Achgeketum Fire Circle for that part of the day’s events.

Ceremonialists make final preparations for performing the pageant at the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

Ceremonialists make final preparations for performing the pageant at the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

Attendees gather for the Achgeketum Fire Circle ceremony to honor G. Ernest Heegard.

Ernie Heegard’s family gathers for the Achgeketum Fire Circle ceremony during the Celebration of Life service.

Attendees gather for the Achgeketum Fire Circle ceremony to honor G. Ernest Heegard.

Attendees gather for the Achgeketum Fire Circle ceremony to honor G. Ernest Heegard.

Ethan Bilson places G. Ernest Heegard’s campaign hat during the Achgeketum Fire Circle ceremony portion of Ernie’s Celebration of Life service.

Camp Horseshoe Camp Director Ethan Bilson provides some opening remarks at Achgeketum Fire Circle during the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

The chief and drummer arrive to start the pageant during the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

The three outer fire lighters enter Achgeketum Fire Circle to set their torches ablaze during the Celebration of Life ceremony for G. Ernest Heegard.

At the Achgeketum Fire Circle ceremony for the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life, the chief gets settled on his stand.

The three outer fire lighters enter Achgeketum Fire Circle to set their torches ablaze during the Celebration of Life ceremony for G. Ernest Heegard.

Ceremonialists representing the council in the pageant arrive.

The main figure of the pageant story, Mawat, pantomimes the story being told by the chief during the pageant.

The center fire in Achgeketum Fire Circle is roaring during the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service.

Ceremonialists representing the council in the pageant rest as directed by the chief’s story.

Ceremonialists representing the council in the pageant rest as directed by the chief’s story.

Ceremonialists leave the Achgeketum Fire Circle during the pageant.

Mark Siegle gives some brief remarks after the conclusion of the pageant at the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

Mark Siegle gives some brief remarks after the conclusion of the pageant at the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

At the Celebration of Life for G. Ernest Heegard, A.J. DiAntonio delivers his remarks about the legacy and impact of Ernie on Horseshoe Scout Reservation, Troop 78, and Octoraro Lodge 22.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, attendees gather for some refreshments before prepared speeches honoring Ernie.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, Logan Duff delivers his remarks about working with Ernie Heegard in Troop 78.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, John Souder delivers his remarks about working with Ernie Heegard in Troop 78.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, John Souder delivers his remarks about working with Ernie Heegard in Troop 78.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, Matt Christenson delivers his remarks about working with Ernie Heegard in Octoraro Lodge 22.

At the Ernie Heegard Celebration of Life service, Dr. David Mellinger delivers his remarks about working with Ernie Heegard at Horseshoe Scout Reservation during summer camp.