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Pictured are front row scouts, from left, Kristian Parker, Luke Lyerly, Trenton Turner, Jovan Gober and Jaden Gober; second row, left to right, American Legion Commander Monte Bruce, Junior Lyerly, Den Chief; Luther Lyerly, Gianni Hunter and Lauren Lyerly. – Karen Kistler

Commander Monte Bruce, far left, presented the award to Troop 4328. He is pictured with Scout Master Doug Stirewalt, Olivia Chandler, Katie Stirewalt, Alyssa Godfrey and Maddie Godfrey. —Karen Kistler

Dr. Luther Lyerly, right, receives the Cub Scout Master of the Year award from American Legion Commander Monte Bruce. -Karen Kistler

Justin Fisher, right, received the Entertainer of the Year award from Monte Bruce, commander of American Legion Post 342. —Karen Kistler

Scouts of America Executive Director Stuart Williams thanked Silver Eagle Award recipient Ronnie Smith who was unable to attend the ceremony. – Karen Kistler

Ann Barber presided over the awards ceremony at the American Legion meeting. -Karen Kistler

SALISBURY — Recognizing those who have served and demonstrated leadership in scouting was the purpose of the awards ceremony held Nov. 18 at the Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post 342.

The Legion building was filled with veterans, scouts and their families for the special event, which included a program, ceremony and a meal prepared for all in attendance.

Ann Barber, a 36-year U.S. Army veteran, Post 342 historian and scout leader, presided over the awards ceremony.

“Part of being in scouting is we recognize our leadership,” Barber said. “Sometimes we get our leadership in different ways. Some of us served in the military, others attended military schools.

It was as a member of the Women’s Army Corps that she says she learned her leadership skills.

Before the awards ceremony, Barber shared some information about the American Legion and the Boy Scouts.

The American Legion was founded on four pillars, which include veterans affairs and rehabilitation; national security that supports the troops; Americanism, which promotes citizenship, the troops and the military and it is in this framework that the support of the scouts includes; and the fourth concerns children and young people.

She told the crowd that the Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1908 and in 2019, girls were part of that program.

The Boy Scouts were founded “to help train young men, develop patriotism and learn survival skills and how to become a productive member of society,” she said. “And they wanted to develop those skills in order to give back to the community.” We have not always taken, we have given back and we are still giving back. And that’s what part of these prices are for.

Five awards were presented during the evening, with the first going to the Cub Scout Pack of the Year, American Legion Post 342, Pack 306. Monte Bruce, Post Commander, presented the award to Scout leader of the pack, Dr. Luther Lyerly, as they all came to the front of the room and Barber spoke about the pack of cubs and their accomplishments.

She emphasized that the Pack is made up of all ages and comes from private, public and charter schools, but, she said, “we are family.”

One of the criteria for the group to receive the award, which Barber said emanates from the state level, is that it must promote Americanism. These Cub Scouts did so by adopting Lot 28 at the VA Cemetery while participating in the wreath laying.

They stacked them all up and made sure lot 28 was taken care of and everyone would have a wreath, she said.

“They did it themselves,” Barber said, noting they went out Friday and unloaded the truck, worked the next morning and also on Memorial Day.

The pack also participated in the Scouting for Food project and several flag ceremonies, teaching others about flag etiquette.

For these service projects, Barber said, they received the North Carolina State Pack of the Year award.

The second prize awarded on the evening went to an individual, Dr. Luther Lyerly, the cubmaster of Pack 306.

Lyerly worked to keep the pack active, Barber shared, as Bruce presented him with the award.

“He finds ways to give back to the community, whether it’s through Arbor Day or through different activities at the VA,” she said.

The father of an Eagle Scout, she said the project involved them building a pergola at the State Veterans Home.

“We applaud you and thank you,” she told him.
Third place was awarded to Scout Troop of the Year, and this award went to Troop 4328.

“It’s a girl troop,” Barber said. “These girls are phenomenal.”

As they gathered to receive the award with their Scout leader, Doug Stirewalt, she shared a list of projects they have participated in, including Wreaths Across America, Scouting for Food, cleaning out the pantry, and serving at the pantry -eat from Ebenezer Lutheran Church, and they help out in the community, specifically, she mentioned that if they see a yard that needs mowing, they take care of it.

Troop 4328 also received the United Way’s Service First award, which was the first time the award was given at the high school level, she added.

In addition to recognizing and thanking the troop, Barber thanked Stirewalt for his leadership.

An individual award was then given, which had to be at the commander level and who had to approve it, she said.

This award was presented to Justin Fisher for his dedication to the scouting program.

It was based on other criteria as well, Barber said, including that he not only be a volunteer but go above and beyond what his position says he does.

A U.S. Army veteran, he is a scout leader for Troop 328 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. He also assisted Airmen who came to Salisbury as they helped fight flooding in western North Carolina.

The Airmen were involved in a 24-hour aid operation, so Fisher went to restaurants to help them prepare meals.

He asked people at the restaurant if they could help and, Barber said, “next thing you know, they’re feeding 100 people in the shed here in Salisbury.”.”

Active in his banking career, he also works with veterans and is involved in Charlotte’s hockey leagues and has offered scouts the opportunity to watch a professional hockey game.

Fisher also volunteers as membership chair for Scouts Central NC.

The final award, awarded by the council, was announced by Scouts of America Executive Director Stuart Williams. And even though the recipient couldn’t be there, he wanted to greet him and talk about him.

Before announcing the award or who will receive it, Williams said this recipient “was very adamant about the belief, the values ​​of scouting and caring for our veterans.”

He said this person is always looking for how to do more for the Scouts, the community and veterans. He also made significant contributions to the NC Central Council to do these things and that is why the Silver Eagle Award was given to Ronnie Smith.

“He’s an amazing man in this community,” Williams said.