As we enter the final months of 2023, let’s look at some highlights in Scouting:
We offered new scholarships for 2023 which included the Eagle Scout of the Year, Venture Scout of the Year, and Sea Scout of the Year. Since there were no submissions for the latter awards, the decision was made to acknowledge the best of the Eagles across the state.
Conner Swigert (below), a member of Troop 130 sponsored by Post 66 in Green Valley, AZ was selected for Area A.
Katrina Albers was selected from Area B. She is a member of Troop 505, sponsored by Post 96 in Peoria, AZ.
Area C’s winner was Justin Berry, a member of SAL Squadron/Post 140 in Prescott Valley, AZ. Justin is a member of Troop 7007 sponsored by Post 6 in Prescott.
Each of these youth were awarded scholarships of $1500 each for their choice of post-high school education.
The Department Eagle Scout of the Year was Abraham Judson, of Post 145, Peoria, AZ. Not only did Abe receive a scholarship of $1500, he was also recommended for the National Scholarship Award.
The American Legion has been a proud sponsor of Scouting since 1919 currently with some 2000 units nationwide. In Arizona, over the past two years, we have grown from seven sponsored units to 46 with hundreds of youth and adult leaders participating.
Many of our Scout Leaders are veterans, and several have joined The Legion because of our engagement in Scouting. I would encourage all Legionnaires interested in character and leadership development of our youth to become involved in Scouting. If you want to start a unit or just get involved with an existing unit, contact the Scouting Chair, Gary A. Vaughan at Commander.D11.AZ@gmail.com.
NOTE: Our involvement in Scouting includes support for the Catalina Council (mostly Area A) and the Grand Canyon Council (most of Areas B and C). We are now beginning to work more with the far northeast areas of Arizona overseen by the Great Southwest Council based in Albuquerque, NM and the far northwest areas administered by the Las Vegas Council. We intend to assist where we can with leadership and fundraising support.
CHALLENGE: Please watch for and assist with area-specific fundraisers as they are coordinated with the various councils. Our many youth appreciate the chances to attend summer camps and have upgraded facilities through your efforts. I challenge each Legionnaire to band together with others and donate a minimum of $10 to the Council of your choice. With some 35,000 members in our Department of Arizona, a small donation by many provides incredible opportunities for the growth of our next generation of leaders.
Provided on 08 May 2022 by Department Americanism Chair, Gary Vaughan:
The American Legion, Department of Arizona is please to announce that Jeffrey Filer of Cave Creek, Arizona has been selected as our 2022 Eagle Scout of the Year. Jeffrey is an honor student at the ASU Preparatory Academy (Charter School) in Phoenix. He is a member of Scouting BSA Troop 15 which is co-sponsored by Dwight D. Eisenhower Post 72 and Desert Mission United Methodist Church in Scottsdale. Pictured below is Eagle Scout Jeffrey Filer with Post 72 Commander Jon Altman. Jeffrey will be awarded a scholarship check of $1500 from the Department of Arizona at our June Annual Convention. Furthermore, we have forwarded his credentials to compete for National Eagle Scout of the Year recognition, which would include a $10,000 Scholarship. You must come meet this exceptional young man. He is definitely one of the great leaders we’ll need to fulfill our Nation’s tomorrows.
Gary A Vaughan
Gary A Vaughan| Commander
Eugene C Yount Post 145
Department of Arizona | Scouting Chair | Judge Advocate Area B
The American Legion has been a strong supporter of the Scouting movement since its founding in 1919. Today over 2500 Scouting units (Cubs, Scouts, Ventures, Sea Scouts, and Explorers) are chartered through Posts, Auxiliary Units, and Sons of The American Legion Squadrons.
GOAL: In Arizona, we have adopted the theme, “A Pack in Every Post,” meaning that since Scouting starts at the Cub Scout level (the Pack), we want to ensure that all youth start early on the trail of great adventure and leadership development. At a minimum, EVERY POST should be engaged in Scouting Programs that best meet their vision to support our youth.
UNITS WE CAN CHARTER/SPONSOR: Consider and sponsor a Cub Pack (ages 5-10), Scout Troop (ages 11-17), a Venture Crew (ages 14-20), a Sea Scout Ship (ages 14-20) or an Explorer Post (ages 14-20).
TAL DIRECT CONNECTIONS WITH SCOUTING THAT STRENGTHEN THE YOUTH PROGRAMS WE SUPPORT: We are seeing great successes as the youth not only learn from the AIMS AND METHODS OF SCOUTING, but as they also merge their experiences with other Legion activities with their Merit Badge Program. For example: Oratorical–Public Speaking and Communications Merit Badges; Baseball—Athletics, Personal Fitness; ALLECA—Crime Prevention, Finger Printing, Law; JSSP—Rifle Shooting Safety; Boys/Girls State, Americanism, Patriotism, JROTC, Flag Protocol—Citizenship in the Community/Nation/World; are all examples of opportunities that strengthen our many Legion Programs as we support and sponsor Scouting.
IMMEDIATE FOCUS FOR LEGION POSTS, AUXILIARY UNITS, AND SAL SQUADRONS: CHARTER/SPONSOR A UNIT TODAY! Start with a Pack, and as it grows, expand to Troops, Venture Crews, and Sea Scout Ships.
IMMEDIATE ACTION:
EAGLE SCOUT OF THE YEAR: Each year The American Legion recognizes the Eagle Scout of the Year. The nomination process starts at the Department level and state winners are advanced to National for consideration of the National Eagle Scout of the Year Award. The Eagle Scout of the Year for the Department of Arizona will be awarded a $1,500 educational scholarship. Winners of the National Award receive a $10,000 scholarship for first place, with three runners-up scholarship of $2,500. The deadline to submit nomination forms to the Department of Arizona Scouting Chair is March 1, 2022.
Eligibility Requirements:
Be either a registered active member of a Boy Scouts of America unit that is chartered to an American Legion post, American Legion Auxiliary unit or Sons of The American Legion squadron, OR
Be a registered active member of any chartered Boy Scouts of America unit and have a parent or grandparent possessing up-to-date membership in The American Legion or Sons of The American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary, and in the case of a recently deceased member, their membership for the year immediately prior to the current year may be used, AND
Received the Eagle Scout Award
Received a Scouts BSA or Venturer Religious Emblem.
Have demonstrated practical citizenship in church, school, Scouting and community.
Have reached their 15th birthday and be enrolled in high school at the time of selection.
Applied through the department (state) in which their Scout unit is chartered.
Provide documentation of current BSA membership. (Membership must be valid for the year in which you are applying.)
This award is designed to recognize American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion members who are actively involved in the Scouting program. This award is not meant to be a selective or limited award, but one that is available to any American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion member who completes the requirements for the award. The award is meant to recognize dedication and work required by an American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion member to assist in furthering the Scouting program in The American Legion.
FINALLY: Our youth of Arizona need the opportunities that mutually The American Legion and Scouting have provided for over a century, but MUST now expand. Scout units generally raise the funds needed for operations and summer camp, meaning financial impact to a Post is minimal at most. Startup cost is a $75 Charter fee, again, covered easily by membership or scout unit fundraisers.
POINT OF CONTACT: Gary Vaughan, Post 145 Commander, District 11 Americanism Chair, Area B Judge Advocate, is also the Department Scouting Chair. For BSA, he is also the National Service Territory 2 Membership Lead for Scouting BSA, Grand Canyon Council Board Member, Eagle Board Member, and SPONSOR/Charter Organization Representative for Cub Scout Pack and Scouting BSA Troop 1776 (both of Post 145). He will travel anywhere in the state to meet with and assist your Post, Unit, Squadron to charter/sponsor a Scouting unit. Call/text: 623-696-1013 or email: garyavaughan@gmail.com.
Gary A Vaughan
Gary A Vaughan| Commander
Eugene C Yount Post 145
Department of Arizona | Scouting Chair | Judge Advocate Area B
