Scouting awards presented to recognize leadership
Published 12:10 am Saturday, November 30, 2024
Pictured are first row, scouts, from left, Kristian Parker, Luke Lyerly, Trenton Turner, Jovan Gober and Jaden Gober; second row, from left, Monte Bruce, commander of the American Legion, Junior Lyerly, Den Chief; Luther Lyerly, Gianni Hunter and Lauren Lyerly. – Karen Kistler
Commander Monte Bruce, far left, presented the award to Troop 4328. He is pictured with Scout Master Doug Stirewalt, Olivia Chandler, Katie Stirewalt, Alyssa Godfrey and Maddie Godfrey.. — Karen Kistler
Dr. Luther Lyerly, right, receives the Cub Master of the Year Award from American Legion Commander Monte Bruce. — Karen Kistler
Justin Fisher, right, was presented with the Scouter of the Year Award from Monte Bruce, commander of the American Legion Post 342. — Karen Kistler
Scouts of America Executive Director Stuart Williams acknowledged Silver Eagle Award recipient Ronnie Smith, who was unable to be at the ceremony.. – Karen Kistler
Ann Barber presided over the awards presentation ceremony at the American Legion meeting. — Karen Kistler
SALISBURY — Recognizing those who have served and provided leadership in scouting was the purpose of the awards ceremony held Nov. 18 at the Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post 342.
The legion building was packed with veterans, scouts and their families for the special event, which featured a program, ceremony and catered meal for all in attendance.
Ann Barber, a 36-year veteran of the United States Army, historian for Post 342 and a scout leader, presided over the award presentation ceremony.
“Part of being in scouting is that we recognize our leadership,” Barber said. “Sometimes we get our leadership in different ways. Some of us have served in the military, some of us went through military schools.”
A member of the Women’s Army Corps is where she said she learned her leadership skills.
Prior to the awards presentation, Barber shared a little information about the American Legion and the scouts.
The American Legion was founded on four pillars, which include veteran affairs and rehabilitation; national security which supports the troops; Americanism, which promotes citizenship, troops and service members and it is under this that includes the support of the scouts; and the fourth is children and youth.
She told the crowd that the Boy Scouts of America were founded in 1908, and in 2019, girls became part of that program.
The scouts were founded “to help have a purpose to build young men, patriotism and to learn survival skills and how to be a productive member of society,” she said. “And they wanted to develop those skills so they gave back to the community. We didn’t just always take, we gave back and we still give back. And that’s what part of these awards are about.”
Five awards were presented during the evening, the first going to the Cub Pack of the Year, which is American Legion Post 342, Pack 306. Monte Bruce, post commander, presented the award to the pack’s scoutmaster, Dr. Luther Lyerly, as they all came to the front of the room and Barber shared about the cub pack and their accomplishments.
She pointed out that the pack is made up of all ages, and comes from private, public and charter schools, but, she said, “we are a family.”
A criteria for the pack to receive this award, which Barber said is from the state level, is they must promote Americanism. These Cubs did that by adopting Lot 28 at the VA cemetery as they participated in laying out the wreaths there.
They stacked them all up and made sure that Lot 28 was taken care of and that each would have a wreath, she said.
“They did that on their own,” Barber said, noting that they came out on Friday and unloaded the truck, worked the next morning and on Memorial Day as well.
The pack also participated in the Scouting for Food project and in multiple flag ceremonies, teaching others about flag etiquette.
For these service projects, Barber said, they were awarded the North Carolina State Pack of the Year.
The second award presented during the evening went to an individual, Dr. Luther Lyerly, the cubmaster of Pack 306.
Lyerly has worked to keep the pack active, Barber shared, as Bruce presented him with the award.
“He finds ways that we can give back to the community whether it’s through Arbor Day or through the different things at the VA,” she said.
The father of an Eagle Scout, she added that the project involved them building a pergola at the State Veterans Home.
“We applaud you and thank you,” she told him.
The third award was presented to the Scout Troop of the Year, and this award was presented to Troop 4328.
“This is a girl troop,” said Barber. “These girls are phenomenal.”
As they gathered up front to receive the award with their Scoutmaster, Doug Stirewalt, she shared a list of the projects that they participated in, including Wreaths Across America, Scouting for Food, cleaning the pantry and service at the pantry at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, and they help out in the community, specifically she mentioned that if they see a yard that needs mowing, they take care of it.
Troop 4328 was also the recipient of the United Way’s Service Above Self Award, which was the first time for this award at the high school level, she added.
In addition to recognizing and thanking the troop, Barber thanked Stirewalt for his leadership.
An individual award was presented next, which had to be at a commander’s level and was the one who endorsed it, she said.
This award was presented to Justin Fisher for his dedication to the scouting program.
It also was based upon other criteria, Barber said, which included that he be not only a volunteer but he goes above and beyond what his position says he is doing.
A United States Army veteran, he is scoutmaster of Troop 328 from Ebenezer Lutheran Church. He also assisted with the aviators who came to Salisbury when they were helping with flooding in western North Carolina.
The aviators were involved in a 24-hours a day operation providing help, so Fisher went around to restaurants to help get meals for them.
He asked those at the restaurant if they could help and, Barber said, “the next thing you know they are feeding 100 people at the hangar here in Salisbury.”
Active in his banking career, he also works with veterans and is involved with the hockey leagues in Charlotte and provided the scouts with an opportunity to watch a professional hockey game.
Fisher also volunteers as a membership chair for the Scouts Central NC.
The final award, which came from the council level, was announced by Scouts of America Executive Director Stuart Williams. And while the recipient was unable to be there, he wanted to acknowledge him and share about him.
Before announcing the award or the one receiving it, Williams said that this recipient “was very adamant about scouting belief, values and taking care of our veterans.”
He said that this person is always looking for how to do more for the scouts, the community and the veterans. He has also made significant contributions to the Central NC Council to do these things and therefore, the Silver Eagle Award was presented to Ronnie Smith.
“He is an amazing man in this community,” said Williams.
