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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Lifestyle
Monday, July 02, 2001
Local Boy Scouts honored in ceremony
Troop 68 of the Boys Scouts of America, Buffalo Trails District, Pecos
held an Eagle Scout Court of Honor recently at the Church of Christ, Fourth
and Bois D'Arc Streets, with Nolan Blount, Scoutmaster, in charge and opening
the ceremonies.
John Cole "Jack" Armstrong, Jr., Nolan J. Blount II and Billy Jack Brookshire
were recognized and honored for achieving the Rank of Eagle Scout.
Parents and grandparents of Jack Armstrong are John Cole and Sam Armstrong,
Mrs. Betty Armstrong, all of Pecos, Lt. Col. (retired) Earl and Clara Bass
of Marbel, Ark., while Nolan J. Blount's parents and grandparents are Nolan
and Rhetta Blount, VaLera Gatewood, all of Pecos, Gene and Lila Blount of
Alice, Mrs. Neoma Peters of Pecos; Jack and Keema Brookshire, Weldon and
Jeanne Brookshire, Bill and Mary Ann Box, Bess James, all of Pecos, Imogene
Landtroop of Merkel, and Gene and Ruby McMillan of Westminster, Calif., are
parents and grandparents of Billy Jack Brookshire.
During opening ceremonies of the Court of Honor Ben Stickels former Scoutmaster
of Troop 68, gave the invocation, Will Armstrong, brother of Scout John Cole
Armstrong, Jr., led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States
of America, Dustin Gulihur, fellow scout, gave the recitation of the Scout
Law, and Eagle Scout Trevor Teague presented the Challenge and Charge to
the Eagle Scouts.
Priss McNutt spoke for John Cole "Jack" Armstrong, Jr., sharing some personality
traits, various accomplishments and other aspects of his life, which gave
listeners an appreciation of the Scouter. Eagle Scout Michael Swanson of
Monahans, long-time friend of the scout, presented the Eagle Award to Jack
Armstrong.
Eagle Scout Teague was the speaker for Nolan J. Blount II, telling of
his accomplishments and attributes, and giving a picture of Nolan J.'s love
of scouting through the years. Teague also made the presentation of the Eagle
Award to his cousin, Nolan J.
Weldon Brookshire of Pecos spoke for his grandson, Billy Jack Brookshire,
telling of his Eagle Scout Project, some of his work and achievements of
being a scout. Eagle Scout Teague was the presenter of the Eagle Scout Award
to Billy Jack Brookshire.
Unusual and interesting to note was the fact that the three scouts registered
as scouts in April 1990, attended day camp in Pyote in June and became Bobcat
Scouts in the fall, John Cole Armstrong Jr., in October 1990, Nolan J. Blount
II in November 1990 and Billy Jack Brookshire in December 1990. Thus launched,
these Cub Scouts embarked on many exciting adventures and an array of hard
work, which encompassed several Scout-O-Ramas in Pecos, Monahans and Kermit,
numerous Pinecar Derbys, popcorn sales and scouting for food projects, earning
various ranks as well as Forester Pins, Fitness Pins, and Family Member Pins,
Compass Emblems, National Summertime Pins, and Communicator Pins, just to
name a few.
After working and achieving in their Cub Scout ranks the youngsters then
became Webelos Scouts (We Be Loyal Scouts) earning their Webelos Badges and
finishing out numerous accomplishments. Each of them earned their Arrow of
Light, the highest achievement available to Cub Scouts.
As Boy Scouts of America the youngsters worked onward. John Cole, Nolan
J. and Billy Jack continued to sell popcorn for six years with Nolan J. being
the top salesman for Troop 68, during those years. They posted the colors
at football games and the West of the Pecos Rodeo for the past six years,
honoring "Old Glory" and our nation by their faithfulness. They continued
their "Scouting for Food," 1994-96, attended Buffalo Trails Scout Ranch,
1995-99, attended Hughes Aquatic Base in Colorado City in 2000 and Nolan
J. also attended Midway in Midland.
Each of the Eagle Scouts completed all the ranks of Boy Scouting. On May
5, 1995 they earned their Tenderfoot Rank; on Aug. 8, 1995 Nolan J. and Billy
Jack earned their second class rank, with John Cole joining them by earning
that rank on Sept. 15, 1995. They all continued achieving completing their
First Class Rank, Star Rank and Life Rank. John Cole completed his Eagle
Scout Rank requirements on Feb. 1, 2001, with Billy Jack and Nolan J. finishing
their Eagle Scout Rank on Feb. 15, 2001.
All three Eagle Scouts achieved the elite honor of becoming members of
the Order of the Arrow, a camping Honor Society of Boy Scouting.
Nolan J. Blount II achieved a total of 49 merit badges; the last 15 badges
being earned under the Bronze Palm, 8-7-2000; the Gold Palm, 11-15-2000;
and the Silver Palm 2-20-2001, with five merit badges being earned for each
Palm.
Billy Jack Brookshire earned a total of 43 merit badges with five badges
being awarded on 8-7-2000 to achieve the Bronze Palm and while the Gold Palm
was awarded on 11-7-2000 for an additional five badges earned.
John Cole Armstrong earned a total of 33 merit badges in his Boy Scout
career.
Twenty-three Boy Scout merit badges, including numerous badges that are
required to advance in rank, have to be earned to achieve the Eagle Scout
Rank.
The Troop 68 Eagle Scout Court of Honor was concluded by the new Eagle
Scouts giving the pledge of the Eagle Scout and Lee Ward offering the benediction.
A large crowd of family and friends, from throughout the community, attended
the festivities which concluded with a reception and refreshments honoring
these three outstanding young men. A lovely patriotic-Eagle Scout theme was
used in the décor of the room and refreshments, with Eagle Scout Emblem
napkins being used.
Host families needed for students
Host families are needed for international exchange students for the 2001-2001
academic year. The students hope to arrive in early August and will stay
with the host family for one semester or until the end of the school year.
They are in need of caring American families _ with or without children _
to provide a home and share with them this unique experience.
The host family will provide a bed, meals, as well as friendship, understanding
and a genuine desire to share the American way of life with a youngster from
overseas. The students are between the ages of 15 and 18, speak English,
are covered by medical insurance, and have spending money for their personal
expenses.
For more information, call Yvette Coffman at the ERDT Southwest Regional
Office at 1-800-941-3738.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 2000 by Pecos Enterprise
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