Thanks to each of you for waiting in that incredibly long line to visit with us at my father's viewing.  It really warmed my heart to see so much support from Troop 325!  I wish you could all have known my father during his more active Scouting days.  Unfortunately, his failing health reluctantly kept him at the fringes of the troop.

My father was an important man in the history of our troop.  He helped form the troop, got the Northmont Rotary Club as our sponsor, and convinced Happy Corner Church to give us a place to meet.  Several years later he prevented it from being disbanded.  He again came to our rescue last fall during the loss of our meeting room.  He teamed up with head steward Rhonda Rich (another patron saint of Boy Scout Troop 325) to obtain our current meeting room in the church.

My father was also very active at the district and council level.  For many years, he was the finance director (a volunteer position), where he worked diligently at raising funds to keep the Scouting program alive and strong.  He attended every local training course as well as a week long course at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.  He also received the highest council level award in Scouting, the Silver Beaver Award.

The fourth point of the Scout Law is Friendly.  My father was well know for this in the local Scouting community.  I kid you not, at every district or council event dozens of Scouters (some of which I didn't even know) would come up to me and ask how my dad was doing and share stories or favorite memories.  What a role model he was for me!

There is no doubt in my mind that I am so deeply involved in Scouting due to the incredible example my father set for me.  He always believed in service to others before self.

In closing, I have some good news and some bad news.  The bad news is our troop, district and council has lost one of its finest members.  The good news is we now have an inside with God for getting drier weather on campouts.

Go do great things!

John P. Combs