95th Reunion
95th Reunion Celebration of Troop 3 - August 25, 2012
In recognition of its 95th anniversary reunion, Mayor Bob Newell proclaimed Saturday, August 25, 2012, Troop 3 Boy Scout Day in Parkersburg.
150 Scouts, former Troop 3 and Sea Scout Ship 3 members, and their guests came together to celebrate this historic milestone with a lunch reception “under the big tent” at the Sea Scout Base in Belpre, followed by a rousing buffet dinner program that filled the Shrine Center with laughter, singing, and reminiscing.
If friendships pay off, the alumni of Troop 3 and Sea Scout Ship 3 are millionaires.
As news spread the troop was planning this historic reunion, stories began to pour in from men of all ages fondly recalling their experiences, friendships, and life lessons learned in Troop 3. They spoke of exciting adventures and blissful weeks spent at summer camp living the “Troop 3 Experience” that is designed to build confidence and self-esteem, and develop strong personal values.
It has been 95 years since a quiet and unassuming young man, Don B. Lowe, founded Troop 3 at the First Presbyterian Church on March 29, 1917. After all these years of operating on a foundation of exciting outdoor adventures practiced by Scoutmaster Lowe, and his three successors, Troop 3 is still going strong. Troop 3 has been in continuous operation longer than 99.5% of the Boy Scout troops in the US today.
Former Troop 3 members came from New Jersey, Michigan, New Mexico, California Illinois, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Virginia, and 13 other states this past weekend to reacquaint themselves with local Scouting brothers, and to pay tribute to the impact Scouting and Lowe, in particular, made on their lives.
The one traveling the greatest distance for the reunion and dinner was No. 782 Mark Starcher of Bakersfield, CA, who was a member of the troop in the 1970’s.
West Virginia Boy Scout history was made when Paul “June” Hoblitzell, Jr. member No.151 since 1927, was joined by three other generations of his family, all members of Troop 3; No. 532 Paul Hoblitzell III, No. 878 Paul Hoblitzell IV, and No.1104 Baden Hoblitzell. Having four living generations from one family, all members of the same Boy Scout troop, together at the same function, is a record of which no Scouting equal has yet been found.
The pace of the program was set by the opening remarks of Baden Hoblitzell, the troop’s newest member, who promptly stepped up to the podium to welcome “you old-timers to the 95th anniversary reunion of Troop 3.”
Paul Hoblitzell Jr., age 95, Troop 3’s oldest living member, who lives in Slate, WV, responded by relating “his experiences and learning’s in the troop as having made a very positive impact on his life. He was extremely grateful that Scoutmaster Lowe acted as a second father to him at a critical time in his life.”
Throughout the evening, Troop 3 alumni picked themselves out of albums of old Scout photographs. Two videos, chronicling 90 years of troop history, were enthusiastically viewed with several rounds of applause!
Among those attending was Harold Phelps, 94, of Grand Rapids, MI. Mr. Phelps is the troop’s oldest living Eagle Scout, and one of only two members of Troop 3 to receive highest honors both in Boy Scout work – Eagle – and in Sea Scout work – Quartermaster Sea Scout. It was also revealed that Daniel Carter Beard, one of the founders of the Boy Scouts of America, presented Mr. Phelps his Eagle badge in 1934.
Troop 3 has had 127 Eagle Scouts in its 95-year history. In 1919, one of its members, Stanley Rawson, became the first Eagle Scout in West Virginia.
Dale D. Musgrave, Allohak Council Scout Executive discussed the mission of the Boy Scouts of America, and the important role the organization plays in developing character and good citizenship in its members. He then recognized Tom Dukas for having served 28+ years as Troop 3’s Scoutmaster, by presenting, amidst a standing ovation, a certificate of appreciation, designating him as a James E. West Fellow in the Allohak Council.
Scoutmaster Dukas pointed out “it was important to keep the Spirit of Don B. Lowe, the troop’s founder, alive for future generations and that he wanted to see everyone back in five short years for the troop’s 100th anniversary reunion!”
Lewis Yeager, No.449, Marietta, Ohio, fondly recalled a memorable Troop 3 trip to Atlantic City and New York City in the late 1940’s, at a time when Americans were not as mobile as they are today. Trips like this, which the troop frequently took, provided a great educational experience for groups of wide-eyed young men from West Virginia.
No. 674 Alan “Tim” Archer led the “Campfire Memories” portion of the program which included skits, songs, and vivid recollections of fun and laughter around the traditional evening campfires at summer camp.
Before leading the crowd in a rousing rendition, “We are the Scouts Of Region 4”, Larry “Mad Max” Maxwell, No. 691, voted 2011 Teacher of the Year in Wood County by the Parkersburg Elks Club, now retired, mentioned the spirit and enthusiasm he learned from Lowe that carried over into his adult life.
Mark Simpson, No. 736, member of the Knoxville, Tennessee, symphony orchestra, and former troop bugler, punctuated the evening with stirring bugle calls that left some with misty eyes. Mr. Simpson fondly recalled all the exciting adventures he experienced and the life lessons learned in Troop 3.
Tom Montoya (in left of image)., No. 444, from Mora, New Mexico, said, “I am a sum total of the experiences of Troop 3. The most important lessons learned were the ideals of Scouting, such as helping others and always giving your best effort. The troop gave its members the stepping stones to build a good productive life and I have taken advantage of all that I have learned.”
#516, Ron Taylor, Master of Ceremonies commented, “that the rich history and traditions of Troop 3, and the continuing spirit of Don B. Lowe, make Troop 3 one of the most unique Boy Scout troops in West Virginia, if not the US. It was a pleasure to meet fellow alumni as they reminisced about a particular trip, adventure, or special learning experience that brought a smile as they recalled the good memories from a truly special time in their life!”
To ponder a few of the member submitted images that express some of the comradry experienced
The troop is already starting to plan for it 100th anniversary reunion on August 26, 2017.
We encourage everyone to “get the word out” that the date has already been set, and now is the time for the alumni to “mark their calendars.” Anyone who did not receive an invitation to this year’s event should email his name and address, etc., to: scouting @troop3wv.org, so you can be added to the troop’s updated address list.
Troop 3 has a limited number of openings and is currently recruiting 11-12 year old boys, who would like to join a Boy Scout troop that puts the “out” in Scouting. Parents who are interested in having their sons consider an organization that promotes adventure, fun, friendships, learning, memories, and skills that will last a lifetime, can obtain more information by calling Scoutmaster Tom Dukas @ 304-485-8958, or, by emailing their questions to: scouting @troop3wv.org.
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