A Legacy of Service

 

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty,
brave, clean, and reverent.

 

The Boy Scout Law, it has been repeated by young men in Lindale for over 50 years. Troop 351 is one of the oldest Troops in the East Texas Area Council. With support from both the Rotary Club and the First United Methodist Church, Troop 351 continues a tradition of service to the community. Each year dozens of local boys enjoy camping, hiking, and working on leadership exercises that create character and build good citizens.

 

General Lord Robert Baden-Powell began scouting. A hero of the Boer War, Baden-Powell returned to England determined to help young men in Britain to become better men. Many of the soldiers under his command had no basic knowledge of the outdoors and the techniques needed to exist in the wild. He also wanted to build character and confidence in young men that they might in turn become valuable members of society.

 

In 1907, he invited a group of boys to attend the world's first Boy Scout camp on the English island of Brownsea. The success of the camp led him to write a book he called Scouting for Boys. Boys by the thousands bought it and decided to become Scouts. Scouting spread like wildfire throughout England and, before long, around the world.
 

Scouting came to America with the help of an American businessman named W.D. Boyce. Boyce was traveling in London when he found himself lost in a dense fog. As he stood under a street lamp trying to determine where he was, a young man approached him and asked if he could assist. Boyce gratefully accepted his help and the young man took him to his destination. When Boyce offered to tip the young man, he refused and told Boyce he was a scout doing a good turn. Taken by the wonderful act of kindness, Boyd asked the boy take him to the British Scouting office. There he met Lord Robert Baden-Powell; Boyce was so impressed with what he learned that he decided to bring scouting home with him. On February 8, 1910, Boyce and a group of outstanding leaders founded the Boy Scouts of America.

 

Troop 351 has a rich history in Lindale, over the years, scouts from Lindale have traveled across the country, camping and exploring nature. However, more importantly, these scouts have gained knowledge and confidence that has, and will, serve them through out their lives. In 2008, Troop 351 contributed over 500 service hours in our community. In 2009 alone there have been 6 scouts achieve the highest rank in scouting-Eagle Scout.

 

Today Troop 351 has 45 young men who are making a difference in our community. Scouts that live their life according to the Scout Oath:

 

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

 

Lindale State Bank salutes the scouts and adult leaders of Troop 351 for their work as, Helping Hands in Our Community.