Local teen earns Eagle Scout honor with project supporting National Veterans Golden Age Games
By Gregory House, Public affairs specialist
Drake Slattery, the grandson of a Veteran, doesn’t seem to slow down.
At 17, the American Fork High School graduate has been through an EMT program, is a record-holding powerlifter, and a CNA student with early acceptance to the University of Utah. He’s spent the past four years balancing AP classes, a hospital internship, gym sessions, and college-level medical training, all while achieving the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank: Eagle Scout.
Drake’s dedication was recently recognized in a big way. His Eagle Scout project, crafting custom wooden sign holders for the 2024 National Veterans Golden Age Games in Salt Lake City, was selected as the Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year for the Wasatch Peaks District by the National Eagle Scout Association.
“It felt really important,” Slattery said. “The Golden Age Games are great because it helps older Veterans stay active and get to know each other and participate in different places each year.”
The handcrafted sign holders were used in the opening parade of athletes at the Games, a national multi-sport competition for Veterans aged 55 and older. Each sign displayed a state or U.S. Territory represented in the 2024 National Veterans Golden Age Games where almost 1,000 Veteran athletes competed. Built to withstand the test of time, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System transferred the sign holders to Memphis, Tennessee to help kick off the 2025 National Veterans Golden Age Games and beyond.
Drake designed, built, and stained each wooden frame with help and donations from family, friends, and local businesses. The project was more than a woodworking effort, it was an act of service aimed at supporting Veterans and enhancing their moment in the spotlight, which included volunteering at the National Veterans Golden Age Games in Salt Lake City doing whatever needed to be done, from early morning setups to helping Veterans represent their homes in the Parade of Athletes.
“My scout troop and I were at the event passing out waters, helping with the table tennis event, basketball tournament, and nine-ball. We were there from 8am until 9pm helping with all the different events and the parade,” Slattery said. “I remember pushing a Veteran in a wheelchair during the parade and that was very meaningful to me.”
Through all the accomplishments, Slattery remains grounded. His achievements have taken a lot of his free time, and he doesn’t always have the motivation to get it all done, but he said he always finds a way.
“A lot of it is discipline and just keeping myself accountable,” Slattery said. “Some days I feel a lot more motivated and other days I feel a lot less motivated and, on those days, I have to use my discipline to just get it done.”
At VASLCHCS, we celebrate young leaders like Drake who recognize the value of serving those who have served. His Eagle Scout project may have begun with wood and screws, but it’s true strength lies in the respect and dignity it offered to hundreds of Veterans—now, and in future Games to come.
To explore volunteer opportunities with VA Salt Lake City, Contact the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Office via email: VHASLCVoluntaryService@va.gov or office telephone: 801-582-1565 extension 4699.