By Kyle Brendel
The 1950s proved to be an interesting decade for the history of our Order. Many firsts occurred in those years that greatly influenced the path the OA took in later and more recent years.
In spring of 1950, the first brotherhood sash was introduced for wear. Not too long after, the 35th Anniversary Meeting (1950 NOAC) commenced. For the last time, the election for the National Conference Chief was held and Goodman gave his first challenge to those assembled at the meeting.
The 1950 National Scout Jamboree proudly started the tradition of the OA Service Troop, or what we call OA Service Corps today. Thirty-six Arrowmen from fifteen states came together to provide necessary program support to the Jamboree just as it is done now. The inaugural service troop was under the leadership of Jamboree Scoutmaster Thomas G. McBride, who would go on to be a national Order of the Arrow chairman and the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.
In 1948, two years before the fifties, a famous project commenced that would see its completion in 1950. In recognition of the impact made by founder E. Urner Goodman, National Chairman G. Kellock Hale Jr. and 1946 National Chief Robert H. Heistand started a the project in which a stone from each lodge in the nation was sent to the founder's residence in Vermont. They would come together to form what is now known as the Brotherhood Barn Fireplace, which showed Goodman that Arrowmen from around the country shared in the principles of the Order. All these years later, in preparation for the OA centennial, we as Brothers are once again serving as rock collectors. As part of the Order's 2015 Legacy Project, a new fireplace of brotherhood is being constructed with lodges' rocks being sent to sitting national Order of the Arrow chairman Ray Capp.
The 2015 Legacy Project also asks lodges to write and send in a copy of their lodge history, just as was done for the project completed in 1950.
After reaching 450 chartered lodges in 1951, the 37th Anniversary Meeting happened in the year 1952. Notable precedent was set by having a daily conference newspaper and Goodman continued his tradition of giving a challenge to the audience.
In 1954, the first National Meeting west of the Mississippi was held in Wyoming. However, attendance was down compared to the last meeting due to extra travel distance. Earlier that year, OA pocket flaps were approved for members to wear on the right pocket of the Scouting uniform. Never before had a location on the Boy Scout uniform been designated as the official spot for the insignia of a program.
The 1956 Conference and 1957 Jamboree Service Troops very much followed the standard set by the previous events of the decade. The 1958 Conference had representation from every state in the Nation; a first in our Order's history.
Just as the fifties have left their legacy on the path our Order, so too can your service to your fellow Scouts leave a legacy for future Arrowmen. Even after changes in the Order, the principles it embodies stayed the same. It is important that we live with the three "W's" always in mind.
Information for this article was found in the National Order of the Arrow History Web Site. It is a wonderful resource loaded with tons of great information that you can use to help your lodge compile its own history as we approach the 100th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow.