Picture taken at my Eagle Court of Honor, 3 years before I took over as Scoutmaster
In November 1983, at the Court of Honor similar to the one tonight, as a mere 20-year-old, I took over a Troop as Scoutmaster, as the former scoutmaster left in short notice, due to personal reasons. I was young, naive and maybe foolish. The Scout troop had 12-15 people in it and what was I doing taking over?? I could not OFFICIALLY take over till I was 21 the following June, but one of the parents assumed the role till I was old enough. This year marks 40 years since I made that decision. Over those 40 years, the troop grew and maintained a pretty steady population of 35-45 scouts, with its peak at 65. I have been to over 1600 troop meetings, somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 committee meetings. I have hiked over 500 miles of the backcountry of Philmont (7 trips), done many other high adventures, attended 38 years of summer camp, who knows how many nights of camping. I have mentored 105 scouts to the rank of Eagle Scout not to mention all the other ranks, held 46 Eagle Court of Honor dinners hosting 5700 guests, handled over a million dollars in fundraising products, attended countless other meetings and trainings, had probably participated in over 2000 Scoutmaster Conferences, inspired scouts and parents with hundreds of Scoutmaster (not so) minutes, and so much more. I have gained so much in return. I have worked with GREAT people at my side, pushing from behind and pulling me forward. Standing at my side. I made so many great friends and memories, stood next to them as they got married, counseled them through life challenges, watched them start families and some even went on to be Scout leaders. I have seen the young men I have worked with become very productive and professional people in our society. I have had the unfortunate opportunity to give a few eulogies at their funerals. Being the Scoutmaster of Troop 161 has given me so much.
I always wondered how this day would go, but in the recent past it has become clear as I evaluated my passion for the job I have so loved for all these years. With all this, I am just tired and feel it is time to pass the torch on to someone else who can carry the Troop to the next level and I am announcing my plans for retirement as Scoutmaster of the Troop. I have asked the troop committee to find a replacement for me so I can officially retire with the June 2024 Court of Honor being my last official duty as Scoutmaster. That will mark my 40th year OFFICIALLY as Scoutmster. I believe moving to a new Charter organization brings some great opportunities to the Troop and it seems like the best time to pass on these reins from the hands of this tired old scoutmaster to a new group of people to carry it to the glory days we once had at Troop 161. I wish to thank ALL OF THOSE who have helped me and the Troop be successful these last 40 years!! THANK YOU! We have had a good run!!
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