Members of the Eagle Scout Class of 2023, as well as Venturing Summit award recipients, were recognized and presented plaques by Major General Jeffrey Jones, Eagle Class Honoree Ed Freeman, and Council President Jay Wallace at the recent Council Recognition Banquet.
The Coastal Carolina Council recently recognized the efforts of the Class of 2023 Eagle Scouts, as well as several volunteers who went above and beyond in the past year. Following a stirring speech by Maj. Gen Jeffrey Jones, the Class of 2023 named Ed Freeman, long time volunteer and Camp Ho Non Wah cook, as the class honoree. The Summit Award, the Venturing’s equivalent of the Eagle Scout Award, was presented to three members of Crew 469; London Alford, Perry Patrick, and Aveh Singletary. London and Perry also earned their Eagle Scout Award this year.
The Sea Scout Leadership Award, presented to Sea Scouts who have made exceptional contributions to their program and who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law, was presented to Boatswain Ethan Jones and Commodore Robert Moise. Ethan is a charter member of Ship 50 and has served as boat leader on several of the ship’s long cruises to the Virgin Islands, Bahamas, and Rhode Island. Robert is also one of the charter members of Ship 50, one of the largest ships in our territory and the fastest growing. As an approved Charter Captain, he has been instrumental in our youth having access to great adventures on the water.
Richard Koehler, “Grandpa” to a generation of Scouts, was recognized with the Council Alumnus Award for his many years of service to the Council through his volunteerism with all aspects of Scouting, from the unit level to the Order of the Arrow to spending his summers as camp quartermaster.
The NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout award is one of the most prestigious recognitions created by the National Eagle Scout Association that can be granted by a council. It honors an Eagle Scout who continues to make a positive impact through exceptional achievement in their profession and community. This year’s recipient was Daniel Byrnside.
The Silver Beaver Award, the highest award a Council may present to its adult volunteers, was presented to Linda Koehler, Mindy Thomson, and Nick Spaulding. The District Award of Merit is presented by each District at their annual banquet to volunteers who have gone above and beyond in support of the District’s programs and activities. This year’s recipients are: Black River - Richard Russell; Etiwan - Patti Zimmerman; Palmetto - Kim Schultz; and Swamp Fox - Richard Beasley and Don Johnson.
James E. West Fellowship is made up of those who "lengthen their shadow" by donating at least $1000 to the Council's endowment fund in addition to their regular support of the Friends of Scouting campaign. Andrew Barton, Chris Cooper, and Gary Hart became members of the fellowship this past year.
Veterans of the Scouting program were recognized with lapel pins denoting their years of service in five year increments. Two notable volunteers are Bob Chase with 70 years of Scouting and Craig Alford with 50.
Two professional Scouters were recognized for their service. Jimmy Crook, former Assistant Scout Executive with the Council, was presented the Professional Circle Award for his 33 years of professional Scouting. Trevor Shelor, Senior District Executive, was presented the William H. Spurgeon III award for his many years, both as a volunteer and a professional, as a champion of the Exploring program. Spurgeon, a business executive at the Irvine Company, personally organized many special interest posts in the 1960's leading to the Exploring program we know today.
And, after four years serving as Council President, seeing the Council through the ups and downs of the national organization’s bankruptcy and lawsuit, Chris Staubes was presented with the Council's 100th Anniversary patch set by current President Jay Wallace and VP of Safe Scouting Ray Bryant. Chris’ calm leadership, together with his willingness to spend countless hours conferring with other councils and the national office, made “weathering the storm” a possibility for our Council.
