1 Rating / 1 Comment
By Stephen Carpenter and Alan Edwards
Sunday, January 25th, Richardson Boy Scout Troop 728 celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a special dinner and Court of Honor at the St. Paul Catholic School gymnasium. Over 200 current and former Scouts and adult leaders, attended the evening event.
Troop 728 Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Andrew Skaras, began the event by calling a Scout Color Guard to present and post the American flag, followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, a welcome from Troop 728 Scoutmaster Mike Koenecke, and an opening prayer by Rev. David Flori, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.
Adult leader George Moore began the presentations with a slide show with images of recent Troop activities and from the past 50 years. Committee Member, Dan Carrier reviewed highlights of the Troop’s history, including Troop 728’s first summer camp, at Camp Wisdom, in 1958, and Scout, Douglas Vaughan earning the Troop’s first Eagle Scout rank on March 3, 1962. Recognized and in attendance were many of the Troop’s former Scoutmasters from as far back as 1962. Throughout the years, Troop 728 has had as many as 90 Scouts and as few as six. Today, Troop 728 has 36 registered boys, and 32 registered adult leaders.
Senior Patrol Leader, Will Venden, recognized past senior patrol leaders and presented rank awards to current Troop 728 Scouts, including Andrew Miller, who is the Troop’s 61st Eagle Scout. Additional awards were presented by Assistant Scout Masters Sherman Butler and Chuck Holden, Troop Committee Chair Julius Caten, and Dean Leonard. Francis Ray Hipolito presented 2008 Presidential Volunteer Service Awards to adult leaders Stephen Carpenter, Joe Tavares, and Dr.Daniel Carrier. Scoutmaster, Mike Koenecke presented the 1st Troop 728 Cup to Mark Carpenter for being "the adult Scouter who has given the most to the troop over the last year." Koenecke also thanked all those who helped make the evening program possible, including Lora Davis who oversaw Venture Crew 728 which served the meal.
Before the closing flag ceremony and prayer, Scoutmaster Koenecke said, "Troop 728 has a wonderful history, and a promising future. We really want to build character, one Scout at a time," he continued. "We are always open to input and ideas, and I hope you will continue to be involved in Troop 728 during our next fifty years. Thanks to all of you for attending this special Court of Honor."
Troop 728 meets Sunday nights, except holiday and campout weekends, at the St. Paul Catholic School cafeteria. Visit the Troop’s website at www.troop728.net
Authors
Stephen Carpenter, of Garland, is a Troop 728 adult leader and a frequent contributor to Richardson neighborsgo. Alan Edwards, of Richardson, is among those who report on Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venture and Varsity activities in the North Trail District, which includes Richardson.
