Vickie Franz
Order of the Heart

    Most Scouters became active when their sons joined Scouting.  It’s a rare Scouter that gives of their time when they don’t have a family relationship to Scouting.
 This year we’re honoring one of those people with a special award, the Order of the Heart.  It takes someone with a big heart to give of their time to Scouting when they have neither been a Scout nor have had a child who was a Scout.
 Our honoree, for the last several years, has helped with a significant district function because she saw a job that needed to be done and knew she could help.  This year, the District Committee wanted to honor this unselfish dedication to Scouting.
   Vickie Franz, who organized much of the dinner we enjoyed, is shown receiving the Order of the Heart award this year from John Trebbien.

Jim K.
Den Leader/Webelos Leader

   This year’s Den Leader/Webelos Leader of the year is trained for this important position.  When this leader’s son became a Tiger, this leader became a Scouter.  This leader makes Scouting fun for the boys while maintaining the values that Scouting represents.  Den meetings are action oriented which maintains the Scouts’ interest.  The den has more than doubled in size under this Leader’s guidance.  This spirit of action has carried over to the pack.  The leader advises other Pack leaders on ways to improve meetings.  Things that have never been tried before have become commonplace.  Examples include interesting guest speakers at pack meetings and teaching Cubs civic values such as respect for our Nation’s flag.
   He is an Eagle Scout and through his leadership continues to bring the spirit of the Eagle to Scouting in our district.  Ft. Hamilton is proud to recognize Mr. Jim K. of Pack 942 as this year’s outstanding Den Leader.

John Denney
Cubmaster of the Year

   This year’s Cubmaster of the year takes training seriously.  This leader is fully trained for the Cubmaster position.  This leader’s Scouting experience began as a Tiger Cub Leader.  His commitment and leadership skills were recognized in his pack, and he became a Cubmaster.
   As Cubmaster his leadership has been demonstrated by retention of Cubs.  This year there are two Webelos 2 dens that are well prepared to cross over into boy Scouting.
   In addition to his involvement with his pack, this leader is active at the District level.  In particular, he stepped up to help lead Cub Day Camp.  He has attended National Camping School to become certified as an adult Day Camp Leader and even has taken on the role of a damsel in distress to publicize day camp!  We are pleased to present this year’s Cubmaster of the Year award to John Denney.

Mike McManus
Assistant Unit Leader of the Year

   Our assistant Leader of the year has served in both unit committee and youth contact positions.  This leader is a consistent source of help to the other adult leaders in the unit and is first to step forward to help when something needs to be done.
   As a committee member of one of the larger units in the district, this leader has helped plan and execute outings which are a significant part of their fun and exciting year round program.
   Summer camping and winter outdoor events are some of the activities that this unit makes happen for its Scouts.
 This leader also helps in another important function.  As Friends of Scouting Chair for his unit, he helps insure Dan Beard Council will continue to be able to support unit activities.
   As an Assistant Cubmaster he provides important support to his unit’s Cubmaster.  He also serves as an Assistant Den Leader helping the Scouts in his den develop the skills and values Scouting is intended to deliver.  He is very upbeat and is an excellent role model for the Scouts in his den and pack.
   Fort Hamilton District is proud to present the Outstanding Assistant Leader award to Mr. Mike McManus of Pack 946, chartered to Lakota Christian Church in West Chester. He is shown here receiving his award from John Trebbien.

Tony Ferraro
Scoutmaster of the Year

   This Scouter is a highly motivated and tireless leader.  He was a Scouter at his previous home and continues to be active in our District since moving to the area seven years ago.  He has been a unit leader in both Cub Scouting and in Boy Scouting (both in his previous home and in our district).
   Utilizing all his resources, this Scoutmaster encourages the other adult leaders to be trained to equip them to support a boy led troop.  His troop conducts regular JLT sessions with excellent results.  He also tirelessly touts the patrol method for the Scouts.  The Senior Patrol Leader leads the PLC and the Annual Planning Conference with the scouts' developing and executing the troop’s annual program.  The scout leaders are always challenged to seek new opportunities for more fun and greater responsibilities.
   He is also active at the district and the council level.  At the district level he has been a Roundtable Commissioner.  At the council level he has been on Wood Badge staff.  He recently filled a too long unsupported position of Order of the Arrow Chapter Advisor.
His contributions to the goals and ideals of Scouting have been truly significant and highly commendable.  Fort Hamilton District is proud to present the Scoutmaster of the Year Award to Tony Ferraro, Scoutmaster of Troop 974, chartered by Lakota Christian Church.

Lita Yarberry
Venture Leader of the Year

   Being an adult Advisor to a Venture Crew is only the latest addition to this leader’s Scouting career. This leader and her husband became active in Scouting with their first son.  This Scouting career has spanned several councils.  Along the way this leader has become trained for all of the various positions held, including earning her Wood Badge beads.  This leader is also a member of the Order of the Arrow.
   This leader gives back to Scouting.  Key contributions include starting two successful units, counseling several merit badges, supporting Junior Leader Training and training for both Cub Scout and Boy Scout adult leaders, serving on the District Committee, and other contributions too numerous to list.
   This leader has previously been honored with the Ft. Hamilton District Award of Merit.  We are now proud to present the Ft. Hamilton District Venture Leader of the Year award to our District Venture Chair, Lita Yarberry, shown here receiving her award from Ed Milbrada.

Glenda Bryant
Committee Chair of the Year

   This year’s recipient recognizes the need for an adult committee to provide the infrastructure necessary for a troop to deliver a quality Scouting program.  That this troop is one of the outstanding troops in our district reflects this Chair’s dedication to her responsibilities.
   This year’s Committee Chair of the Year has been a Scouter for eight years.  The last five of those years have been as the chair of a troop committee.  It is very easy for troop committees to lose focus such that what needs to be done for the good of a troop isn’t happening.  Under this chair’s direction, tight committee meetings means the troop committee remains focused on the matters that need consideration for the good of the troop.
   Ft. Hamilton District is honored to recognize this year’s Committee Chair of the Year, Glenda Bryant, Chair of the Committee for Troop 960, shown receiving her plaque from Scoutmaster Jim Fenske.

Jeff Link
Chartered Organization
Representative of the Year

   Relationships with a chartered partner are a key function of a Chartered Organization Representative’s responsibilities.  In many instances, the Charter Partner is merely a name on paper.  However, when the relationship works the way it should, Scouting is an integral part of the Chartered Partner’s program.
   Our Chartered Organization Representative of the year works regularly to insure that the interaction between the Chartered Organization and the unit functions like a well oiled machine.  Evidence that this relationship is operating the way it should is the fact that his organization is celebrating it's tenth anniversary with Scouting this year!  The pastor of the chartered organization regularly talks about Scouting as being part of the Church’s mission and about what the troop has done and continues to do for the church.
   Fort Hamilton District is proud to present our Chartered Organization Representative of the Year award to Mr. Jeff Link, Charter Rep for Troop 947, chartered to Lord of Life Lutheran Church in West Chester, shown here receiving his award from John Trebbien.

Mary Jones
Meritorious Service Award

   Our next honoree has been a Cub leader for several years and continues to increase contributions to Scouting in our district.  This leader works hard to insure that there is a quality program not only in her pack but also available to help other packs provide program opportunities.  For example, this leader has contributed to giving other leaders program ideas by providing leadership to Cub Roundtable.
   This leader is not only trained for her position but has worked with the District Training Committee to bring training to leaders who were unable to come to regularly scheduled training. She has also stepped up to lead Cub Day Camp in the district, a position for which she has attended additional training, and has led the District Tiger Day.
   Fort Hamilton District is proud to present the Meritorious Service Award to Mary Jones, Cubmaster of Pack 980, shown here receiving her award from Ed Milbrada.

Irv Kieback.
Meritorious Service Award

   This honoree of the Meritorious Service Award is both a unit and a district Scouter.  At the unit level, this leader is the adult in charge of one of the most successful Scouting units in Fort Hamilton District.  This unit exemplifies trained adult leadership, a year round fun and exciting program for the youth, and excellent youth retention.  This success is particularly challenging because the unit is also one of the largest units in the district.  At the district level, this leader is a valued member of the District Training Team.  He has led sessions in New Leader Essentials and Cubmaster/Assistant Cubmaster Position Specific Training.  He also has trained district Cub leaders on how to conduct a School Night.  He stepped up this year to organize a major District Cub Scout activity, the District Pinewood Derby.
   We are now proud to present Mr. Irv Kieback, Cubmaster of Pack 946, Chartered to Lakota Christian Church of West Chester, with the Meritorious Service Award.  Irv is shown here receiving his award from Ed Milbrada.

Ken Croisant
Meritorious Service

   This honoree was a Scout as a youth and became an assistant leader when his son crossed over to Boy Scouting.  In many cases assistant leaders don’t receive the recognition they deserve.  While most leaders become active as adults with their sons, this leader’s contributions began long before that.
   This leader can always be counted on to be there for any troop event, campouts, service projects, Courts of Honor, etc.  He has spent over a month camping in the last three years and has given 40 hours of his time to service projects.  In addition he supports our Scouts by serving as a Merit Badge Counselor.
   He also helped bring Scouting to youth in Europe as a District Commissioner when he was on active duty in the Air Force.
   Please congratulate Ken Croisant of Troop 947, chartered to Lord of Life Lutheran Church of West Chester, on his Meritorious Service Award.

Rob Robertson
District Award of Merit

   This honoree had a full Scouting career as a youth earning both the Arrow of Light and Eagle with several palms.  He has served youth at both the unit and district level in multiple councils.  He is also Wood Badge trained and a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow.
Before his son became old enough to join Cubs this leader served as a Unit Commissioner and as an Assistant District Commissioner.  He has received a Bachelor of Commissioner Science from the University of Scouting in a previous Council.
   Once his son joined Cubs, he “retired” to the pack level where he serves his pack as Advancements Chair and Friends of Scouting Chair.
   Fort Hamilton District is proud to present the District Award of Merit to Rob Robertson of Pack 945, chartered by St. Maximilian Church of Liberty Township, shown here receiving his award from Ed Milbrada.

Joe Bergeron
District Award of Merit

   This honoree has been a Scoutmaster in the district for more than five years in a very active troop.  The troop not only attends summer camp, they also have annual high adventure trips.  The troop serves its charter partner on numerous occasions and participates in the state Adopt-a-Highway program and many smaller service projects.  Scouts in the troop are regularly awarded their Eagle rank.
   This leader is fully trained for his position, including being Wood Badge trained.  He has been on Wood Badge staff.  His example has been followed by many of his troop’s other adult leaders who are also Wood Badge trained.
   In addition to providing adult leadership to a troop this Scouter promotes Scouting on many fronts.  He is a strong supporter of the Order of the Arrow and supports district activities by consistent attendance at district outdoor events.
   Our recipient has been trying to retire from his position as Scoutmaster, but he does such a good job no one will let him!  He is a great ambassador for Scouting and has the gift of having a positive effect on others in Scouting at many levels.
    Fort Hamilton District is proud to present the District Award of Merit to Mr. Joe Bergeron, Scoutmaster of Troop 956, chartered to the Izaak Walton League of America, Hamilton Chapter, shown here receiving his award from Ed Milbrada.

Charlie Garrison
Thanks for 3 Years as District Chair!

   Charlie Garrison is shown holding a ceramic eagle awarded by Carl Baur on behalf of the entire Ft. Hamilton District for the dedication and commitment Charlie gave to the district for the past three years as District Chair.
   When he took over the district in 2000, there was no district staff at all in place. Charlie rebuilt the entire District Committee and through his single handed efforts rebuilt our numbers and established record setting fund raising results.
   Most important was the example he set for the rest of us to follow resulting in the improved quality our youth are now experiencing in our Scouting program.

   Thank you Charlie for all you have done and for your personal dedication to the youth and principles of Scouting in our district!  He is shown here receiving his award from the current District Chair, Carl Baur.

Mary Mitchell
5 Years of Service

   Mary Mitchell is shown receiving a 5 year service certificate from Gene Rolke.
   Mary has already filled a number of key positions in the district including managing last year’s Pinewood Derby.
She recently earned her Wood Badge award.

   Thank you, Mary, for all you have done and for your personal dedication to the youth and principles of Scouting in our district!

Dan Lintz
20 Years of Service

   Dan Lintz is shown receiving a 20 year service certificate from Gene Rolke.
   Dan has been an enthusiastic volunteer and splits his time between Scouting and being a valued member of his community’s fire department.  On more than one occasion he has been seen suddenly rushing out of a Scout meeting to answer a fire call only to return again as quickly as possible to pick up where he left off.
   His positive attitude and his enthusiastic enjoyment of the Scouting experience are catching and have inspired more than one other volunteer to do more in their activities.
   Thank you, Dan, for all you have done and for your personal dedication to the youth and principles of Scouting in our district!

Ed Milbrada
20 Years of Service

   Ed Milbrada is shown receiving a 20 year service certificate from Gene Rolke.
   Ed has filled a number of key positions in the district.  He currently is the Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner and leads the development and exchange of information to leaders of all Boy Scout units in the district.
   He was one of the key people putting together the outstanding leader awards for the district this year.
   Thank you, Ed, for all you have done and for your personal dedication to the youth and principles of Scouting in our district!

Bill Leach
35 Years of Service

Bill Leach is shown receiving a 35 year service certificate from Gene Rolke.  He also received a ceramic eagle for his many dedicated years of dedicated service as Eagle Coordinator for the district.
Bill has established a remarkable record for the number of boys in our district who have earned their Eagle rank.  He has made his presence and inspiration felt in many areas of Scouting including having an area in the new Friedlander Camp named for him.
   Bill is retiring and will be leaving us as he moves to a warmer clime.  We will miss him.
   Thank you, Bill, for all you have done and for your personal dedication to the youth and principles of Scouting in our district!

Bob Spindler
45 Years of Service

   Bob Spindler is shown receiving a 45 year service certificate from Gene Rolke.
   This recognizes a phenomenal number of years of service to youth and the Scouting Program.  Bob is a mainstay in our district and one of the most dependable volunteers we have.
   We thank you, Bob, for all you have done and for your personal dedication to the youth and principles of Scouting in our district!

Other Service Award Winners not pictured:

 5 years – Tamara V.
10 years – Eric H., Jerry E., William F.
15 years – Mitch Rhodus, Kenneth O'Connor
20 years – Michael G., Luke White
25 years – Tom F., Randy R., John Tromans, Brad N.
30 years – David R.
45 years – Dave B.

 

John Tromans
"MAYBE JUST ONE MORE"

   John Tromans gave us an inspirational reading of a story titled “Just One More.”  It’s a story of a Scoutmaster wanting to retire but wanting to wait to see that last promising Scout through to his Eagle.  His voice and tone were perfect for the part.  He did a masterful job of reading the story and making it come alive.  He sounded like he had lived that experience himself, and his deep felt reading made us all relive it and feel it together.

 Here’s the story:

   That look in his eyes .... Funny, it’s almost the same wide-eyed wonder I saw the night he came into the troop.  I’ve worked overtime on this boy.  My hands are shaking.  What if I drop his Eagle pin on the floor?  Worse yet, what if I break down and can’t say the things I want to say?

   His folks are so proud ... Should be too.  So few boys ever get to this point.  Lord knows, we try to keep them interested, but there are so many distractions.  By the time they get into high school it’s almost impossible to hang onto them.

   It was the mountains that saved this one for us.  He loved the outdoors so much that he would plug away at the weekly meetings.  I’ll never forget the first time I took him up that old mountain.

   He has all the earmarks of a real Scout now.  Wonder if he knows how much I’ve come to depend on him myself?  Well he’s done his part, and so have I.  The promise I made to myself years ago can finally be kept: “Just one more Lord.  When this special, eager little boy has his Eagle, I’m going to quit.”

   My fingers are so stiff ... can’t get the clasp unfastened.  I’ve done my share for sure.  Loaded and unloaded a ton of tents, patrol boxes, camp stoves and bed rolls.  Hauled scared kids up mountain passes, and carried down more than one with a sprained ankle.  Eaten burned biscuits and runny eggs, bandaged a jillion broken blisters and cut fingers.  I’ve yelled and whispered, laughed, worried and prayed.  And every time my wife said, “Why don’t you give it up?” I’ve said, “I just want to see this kid get his Eagle.  Then I’ll quit.”

......Does he know how important this silver pin is?.....Does he care about the hours of giving we’ve put into this moment?........Why haven’t I seen Monday night football in years?.......But this is it!  He’s done.....and so am I........I didn’t realize how tall he’s gotten......These kids grow up so fast......Taller than I am......Taller than his dad too.............There......Finally....got that pin and didn’t drop it either...........OH – OH ......He’s got tears just ready to spill and so do I........Shake his hand firmly and turn back to face the audience.... ...Give us both time to get under control.........Look at those faces!....It really is an impressive moment for the young Scouts..........Wish we could bottle this inspiration and dispense it when they begin to run dry.........Hey!  Where’d that kid come from?......The one in the front row..... .Look at those eyes shine!......That’s him ... That’s the one that will make it all the way......What fun it would be.

Well .... Maybe just ONE more!!

Tom Montgomery leads our latest class of Eagle Scouts through their oaths.
The arm of Bill Leach, their Eagle Coordinator,
can be seen in the left foreground joining with them.

Here’s another picture of our new class of Eagle Scouts
showing Bill Leach in the foreground with his back to the camera.
 

Your District Leadership Team

Here are pictures of some of the more than 100 people who attended our District Dinner

Key Presenters