OXFORD — Anderson-Staples Post 112, American Legion, hosted a Boy Scout Troop 196 Court of Honor recently. Forty-one merit badges, nine rank advancements, patches for other achievements and spring and fall jamborees ribbons were presented.

The troop made good of their week at summer camp at Camp Hinds in Raymond. Required and hard-go-get merit badges included swimming, lifesaving, emergency preparedness, first aid, shotgun, archery and photography.

The troop is chartered with Post 112. Charter representative Joe Bernard introduced Post Past Commander George Herrick, 95. Herrick, along with other World War II veterans, added the name Rosco Staples, who lost his life in combat, to the name of Elmer Anderson, making the post the Anderson-Staples Post 112.

In that that same year of 1946, Commander Herrick recommended the post look into sponsoring a Scout troop. A vote was taken and the scouting program began. Herrick spoke of his early years with the Boy Scouts. Five or six years later, Post 112 chartered with the Pine Tree Council Cub Scout Pack 196. Bernard produced the original Cub Pack roster dated 1953.

Scouts and leaders presented Herrick with a troop T-shirt.

Herrick was asked how he thought Scouts of today stacked up to those of years past. Herrick said, “A lot of the merit badges have changed to keep up with the times, but the core values of scouting will never change. They are not just scouting ways but the American way.”

He shook hands and gave a pat on the back to all scouts with words of encouragement to stay on the scouting trail. Then he thanked the scout leaders and parents in meeting the challenge to keep the program active.

The program closed with refreshments and trips down memory lane.


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