Honoring our Veterans in the Aquia District

This past week was full of patriotic celebrations in the Aquia District!

Scouting has a strong connection to our Veterans. On Veterans Day, November 11, 2024, Cub Scouts from Packs 26 and 907 carried flags of military branches and marched alongside the 75 veterans honored at Park Ridge Elementary School. They also enjoyed eating some donuts with several veterans! Click here to watch the whole Ceremony.

Scouting America National Capital Area Council appreciates all the Veterans who serve in leadership positions to provide Scouting to our youth. We honor and thank them for their service.

On November 7, 2024, Col. Frank Harris, III, age 100, was recognized as the oldest Marine at Quantico’s annual USMC birthday celebration. Col. Harris, a veteran of WW2, Korea, and Vietnam, has served as the Charter Organization Representative of Troop 121 for the past 20 years. He was also a Scoutmaster of the same Troop in the early 1960s.

On November 9, 2024, Gregory Bodge of Troop 907 was awarded the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Robert E. Burt Scout Volunteer Award. Nationally recognized by the SAR, this award is presented to any SAR member in good standing currently active in a Scout Unit, District, Council, or a SAR member who has displayed outstanding dedication to the Scouting program. This award aims to recognize the recipient’s outstanding service to youth through the Scouting America programs.

On November 11, 2024, Richard Haas, aka The Ancient One (TAO for short), was honored by the Quilts of Valor at a Veterans’ Day ceremony at the Falls Run Retirement Community. TAO, who turns 98 in a few days, is a US Navy veteran of WW2. He’s been a member of the BSA for 88 years! He joined Troop 26 when he moved to Virginia, and then his son joined the same Troop. Now, his grandson and great-grandson are in Pack 242 as a Den Leader and Cub, respectively!