A former Scoutmaster created a council shoulder patch design that included cherry blossoms and the Jefferson Memorial for a contest in 1974 and it’s still being used today as Scouting America National Capital Area Council’s standard.
Robert Wehr was a Scoutmaster for Troop 403, which contained around 55 Scouts at the time. Before 1974, the patches had no pictures and only the area listed, but Wehr changed the tradition when he participated in a contest to create the new design.
“We had a really good group going,” Wehr said. “So, it was a bit of a challenge.”
When the contest in 1974 arose, Wehr met with a Scout mother, who was a graphic designer, to come up with ideas for the new shoulder patch. Many of the designs were rejected until the cherry blossom design.
Wehr submitted a colored sketch of his design and ended up winning the contest. After 50 years, he feels honored to have his design still be the Council shoulder patch.
“It means the world to me,” Wehr said. “It makes me smile.”
Wehr also presented the patch for the first time to a Scout in Troop 403 and the event was published in a newspaper.
His main reason for choosing cherry blossoms as the design was because it was something unique to Washington. He said the bright color “makes you look twice”, but that it is also a good representation of the city and people will know what it is.
“There’s only one cherry blossom,” Wehr said. “That’s it. You don’t want to put a building.”
Scouting America describes the council shoulder patch as being “designed for each council and embodies local tradition for all members of the council.”
Wehr also shared his role in organizing the Scout’s participation in a parade for the 200th anniversary of the United State’s independence. Wehr encouraged Scouting America to participate in the parade for America250, which is a “nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in the 250th anniversary of the United States,” their website says.
Wehr remembered how important timing was during the parade. It was televised, so the Scouts were restricted to a time limit and had to practice staying in line together. They paraded successfully and Wehr emphasized the professionalism that is needed for these events.
“No matter where you are, you’re representing that group,” Wehr said.
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