This Page is in Memory of |
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Troop 149's "First" Scoutmaster |
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 Dean A. Kern Scoutmaster Troop 149 |
Scoutmaster of Troop 149. Well, that was his "last" title in "Boy Scouts". Before that Mr. Kern was a Webelos leader for Pack 145, Charted by "Oregon Elementary School", in Alamogordo, New Mexico. And before that, he was a "Neighborhood Commissioner" for White Sands District - Yucca Council. I do not remember very well the time he spent as a Commissioner, I was in "Cub Scouts", and didn't even know then what a Commissioner was. But I do remember, that "big" two-room shed in the backyard where the Webelos met.
At first it was a "work shed", for him to do his woodworking in. Then, when he became a Webelos leader, all of the tools were moved to the front half, to make room for the scouts. Of course, that Den did a lot of woodworking. It was his hobby, and he loved sharing that with the boys. |
Now as the time came for the Webelos to become Boy Scouts, Dean thought he should keep most of the scouts together. Give them their own unit. By using his resources, and by being a "Deacon", at the First Baptist Church, he was able to get the church to agree to the Charter of the Troop.
In 1972, the First Baptist Church of Alamogordo, New Mexico, became the "Charter" of Troop 149. At the time, Jack Strickland (pastor) became the Instutional Head, and Billy Holder, (Head Deacon) would be the Instutional Representive, and Dean would be the Scoutmaster. The church let the scouts use a house that they owned, next to the church, for them to meet in. This became known as our "Scout hut".
Most of the Webelos stayed with the Troop, and over a period of a year, the Troop grew to better than 20 scout members and 5 Assistant Scoutmasters. They kept us busy.
Since Dean was a Postal Carrier by trade, it was natural that this Troop did a lot of Hiking. To me, as a young scout, it was like we were going on hikes all the time. I'm sure though, it was probably only once a month. Dean was also able to get the help from young men from Holloman AFB, to be Assistants. These guys were the ones that motivated us to go camping more. It was the teamwork the adults had, that made our unit fun.
But, the fun was short lived. When Dean was 12 years old, he had Rheumatic Fever. This damaged the "Aorta" valve to his heart. And in the mid-'70's, he had "open-heart surgery to replace the valve. He was never able to go back to the activities that the Scouts had.
Another Scoutmaster took his place, but the Troop began to fade away. It had lost the "man" who had brought them together, and kept them together. Soon after which, the "Charter" expired.
The Troop was able to produce 2 Eagle Scouts. Amos Davis Jr. was the first. The other scouts, I'm not sure any of them stayed in Scouting. They all found something else to do.
Dean left the Postal Service, and became an Insurance Adjuster with his brother-in-law here in Alamogordo. He stayed active in the Church. Helped his wife, Faye, with her Sunday School classes, and even drove the "Green" church bus for a while.
A few years later, at his home, he passed away. March 17th 1979.
Dean never was awarded any "Scouter" awards, I'm not sure he ever even tried to get any. But I feel, as one of his "Scouts", and as his son, He deserves one.
Therefore, the "Award of Merit", I received on December 22nd 1992, I dedicate it to you.
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