The eagle began life mounted on the US Army Quartermaster Museum at Fort Lee, Virginia (now known as Fort Greg-Adams).

It was fabricated by the craftsmen in the Public Works sheet metal shop. When the museum facade was renovated in the mid-1980s, Troop 175 Eagle Scout Bill Vaughan, who worked at Public Works, was able to obtain the magnificent bird from the renovation contractor. 

Bill called T175 Eagle Scout Lloyd Minter to help recover the sculpture. Lloyd and his wife, Melanie, arrived with flatbed trailer and socket wrenches in hand. From Fort Lee, the bird flew to Camp Sysonby and was mounted on the south wall of the dining hall, where she remained until the camp was closed in 1994.

Not willing to lose the old girl, Troop friend Bill Barga arranged for the Eagle to be stored in an old warehouse at Seward Luggage in Petersburg, where she remained safe for a few years.  Upon the passing of Scoutmaster Al Ramsey, the Eagle’s Nest pondered an appropriate memorial to Uncle Al. Funds were raised, a plaque was cast, and the Eagle landed at Camp T. Brady Saunders where she is now known to one and all as the “Sysonby Eagle.” 

Troop 175, and several of the spin-off troops fledged by T175 members had, by that time, continued the Sysonby tradition by descending upon Camp Saunders each year for a “Sysonby style” summer camp event.

Today, the Sysonby Eagle lives on, recognized by all who visit the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation.