Welcome to October –
The year is sure coming to an end quickly!
I had the opportunity to attend and preside over the awarding of a Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in Billings this past Friday night. The award was presented to past Council President David Brown.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, check it out at: The National Eagle Scout Association, Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
It is rare air. In Montana Council history, there are only 11 living individuals who have earned the award and or are recipients residing in our state.
One of the factors that made the evening so special was that one of David’s Scoutmasters, Mr. Williard Baker – at over 90-years-old – was in attendance and still telling stories of Scouts and the fun he had when he was a Scoutmaster. He even capped off his comments with a couple of jokes – what a character!
With only around 3,000 Distinguished Eagles presented out of the near 2.7 Million Eagle Scouts in history, this was a special evening indeed. Anyone who continues on the Scouting Trail for life is a hero in my book and David is the apotome of what it means to be an Eagle Scout.
Yesterday, I attended two Eagle Scout Ceremonies in Missoula, one at the Museum of Mountain Flying and one at a local state park. In both cases, I watched and participated with other Eagle Scouts and the new recipients in reciting the Eagle Scout Promise.
It reminds me once again, that there is no end to the Eagle Scout trail – perhaps there is no end to the Scout trail either.
We should all “do our best” to live every day according to the Scout Oath and Law. I would argue that the world needs to live those twelve now more than ever.
To all Eagle Scouts, Alumni, Volunteers, Parents, Donors and especially those still on the trail – best wishes for a fantastic fall full of Scouting Spirit!
Jory Dellinger
Interim Scout Executive
