Year of the Lodge

In late 1990, a plan began to take shape for a year of emphasis that would give new attention and resources to lodges and a refocus on the basic principles and purposes of the Order.

It had been decided that the young men who would attend the National Planning Meeting in December would help set the plans for the year. Under the direction of National Program Vice Chairman Dabney Kennedy, the chiefs would develop a program called “Focus ’91: The Year of the Lodge.”

With no NOAC to plan, the Order was going to make developing ways to make lodges better the 1991 program of emphasis. Six task forces, under the direction of the newly elected Region Chiefs developed ideas, programs, and activities to focus on and strengthen lodges throughout the nation. The areas of concentration included: leadership, lodge program, membership, national program, outdoor program, and service. Before the end of the year, a “mega-box” of new resource materials were developed which were subsequently delivered to each lodge at the 1992 National Order of the Arrow Conference.

3, OA, Scouting

NOAC 1992

The OA returned to the site of the 1977 NOAC, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 6,680 delegates made this event the second most attended NOAC yet. Only the 75^th Anniversary NOAC in 1990 had been larger. The Conference theme selected at the National Planning Meeting was "Many Fires, One Great Light."

New in 1992 was WOA-TV, the first daily television broadcast at a Conference. There were fireworks and an ice cream extravaganza. The Founder’s Day festival was held on the grounds of the Knoxville World’s Fair ending in a huge outdoor barbeque. 7,000 pounds of food was collected for the needy of Knoxville.

In a program change, traditionally the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) and Red Arrow award (with the exception of VIPs such as Chief Scout Executives) had been presented at the closing ceremony. This did not allow a lot of time for the recipients to be congratulated as most Arrowmen were preparing for travel home that day. It was decided to present these awards earlier in the Conference and this proved to be a superior method.

3

1992 DSA Recipients

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is presented to those Arrowmen who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional, or national basis. The following were presented the DSA at the 1992 National Order of the Arrow Conference - Charles W. Beard, Christopher S. Belden, David Brittain Bone, David Lloyd Briscoe, Donald K. Chilcote, Craig Stephen Donais, William C. Evans, David P. Fabie, Dean M. Frommelt, Jeffrey H. Goldsmith, Matthew David Hoag, Grant Michael Howe, David E. Larkin, James B. Laycook, Ryan Mecham, John Meckley III, Kevin Brent Mefford, C. Mark Miller, Louis G. Monville III, Cort A. O'Neil, Donald S. Oplinger, Jeffrey Posey, Ashley C. Rose, J. Patrick Ross, Lawrence A. Ruh, Charles D. Scales Jr., Theodore E. Shelton Jr., Jack Shumaker, N. Anthony Steinhardt III, Thomas J. Stephenson, Arthur D. Stevens, William Story, Clint E. Takeshita, Scott A. Valcourt, Skip Van Bloem, Mick M. Walker and W. Worth Wharton.

3, Awards, OA, Scouting

1992 National Planning Meeting

The 1992 National Planning Meeting was called the Assembly of Chiefs. With no NOAC to plan, efforts were directed toward improving quality of lodge operations and planning the Arrowman Gathering at the 1993 National Jamboree. Brian Beaverstock of Tisquantum Lodge, Foxboro, Massachusetts was elected National Chief and Dameon Hutto from Tiak Lodge, Ellisville, Mississippi was elected National Vice Chief. New BSA region designations changed the number of region chiefs from six to four. The Region Chiefs elected were, Jeff Middendorf – Northeast Region, Joel Shapiro - Central Region - Mike Salazar, Southern Region and Ron Mahabir - Western Region.

3, Elections, OA, Scouting

NOAC 1988

The 1988 National Order of the Arrow Conference was originally scheduled for UCLA. However, very late in the going problems developed in the contracts. There were issues regarding costs of meals and facilities and an impasse between the National OA Committee and UCLA was reached. There were also concerns just as in 1973 when the Conference came to UC Santa Barbara about the higher costs of traveling as far as the west coast. So the 73^rd Anniversary Conference returned back to the site of the 1979 NOAC, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. Kola Lodge served as host lodge for a third time.

4,200 delegates came to be trained, get inspired and join in fellowship. The Conference Theme selected was "Inspired to Lead, Dedicated to Serve". Four-star General Arthur E. Brown, Jr. gave the keynote address and was presented with the Spirit of Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) was presented and Chief Scout Executive Ben Love gave the closing address.

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1988 DSA Recipients

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is presented to those Arrowmen who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional, or national basis. The following were presented the DSA at the 1988 National Order of the Arrow Conference - Glenn T. Ault, Douglas E. Beaudoin, L. Ronald Bell, Billy H. Brackett, Richard E. Carroll, C.D. Cash, Jay T. Cleaver, Franklin H. Collins, Eduardo X. De Torres, Mark M. Dyer, Philip R. Engelmann, David A. Erb, Daniel J. Feigelson, John R. Foltz, J. Thomas Ford Jr., Kenneth N. Galloway, Elmer B. Greey Jr., Charles T. Harbin III, Richard R. Harrington, Robert D. Hath, James W. Ince, Jon E. Jones, Sean P. Keenan, Arthur F. "Mac" McLean III, Larry A. Mobley, Ronald E. Moranville, G. Allen Mossman, R. Brian Naylor, George Douglas Nelson, Steven M. Palm, Rob Patridge, John Perry, Christopher T. Retajczyk, Cary L. Roberts, Kelly Roberts, James A. Rock, Mack T. Ruffin III, Joseph L. Scalise, Steven R. Silbiger, Timothy M. Snellenberger, Tom Tatham, Oscar M. Thompson, Todd F. Trapnell, Roy C. Walker, Larry E. Warlick, Derek Wilcock, James D. Wilson and Andrew Wright.

3, Awards, OA, Scouting

1988 - National Planning Meeting

The National Planning Meeting had become an annual end of year meeting between the holidays. Besides National officer elections, the 1989 50^th anniversary of Philmont Trek was on the agenda. Jack Stephens of Chee Dodge Lodge, Flagstaff, Arizona was elected National Chief. Wade Herbranson, Tonkawampus Lodge, Maple Grove, Minnesota was elected National Vice Chief. Region Chiefs elected were Mark Belli – Northeast Region, David Bone – Southeast Region, Kevin Bokesch – East Central Region, Daniel Fee – North Central Region, David Herndon – South Central Region and Michael Southall – Western Region.

3, Elections, OA, Scouting

1989 National Jamboree

The 1989 National Scout Jamboree was held at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, from August 3 to 9 with the theme “The Adventure Begins . . . With America’s Youth”. 32,717 Scouts were in attendance.

During the opening show, Steven Spielberg spoke to Scouts, sharing the stage with country singer Lee Greenwood. Spielberg told the Scouts that he owed his career to Scouts and that it was Photography Merit Badge that led him to make his first film (about a UFO landing near Scouts camping) and that was why he became a filmmaker. Newly elected President George H.W. Bush addressed Scouts by praising them for their leadership and role in confronting the problem of drug abuse. 1989 also marked the first year that female-registered campers could attend a BSA National Jamboree.

The role of the OA included the traditional OA Service Corps, but expanded to include an on-site radio station, and a Native American Indian village.

139 Arrowmen served in five Service Corps troops. Service Corps members performed a variety of important tasks at the Jamboree including: raising flags for the opening ceremony, escorting special guests, or working in the program areas. The first OA Indian Village involved forty-five Arrowmen and advisers in an effort to create and live in an authentic Indian village that provided authentic Indian culture. Throngs of visitors enjoyed Arrowmen doing Indian crafts, playing native games, and presenting Indian dance demonstrations. Another first was the OA providing the impetus and manpower to run FM radio station WBSA during the jamboree.

A Jamboree Arrowmen Rendezvous occurred with over 10,000 Arrowmen in a special arena show marking the largest gathering of Arrowmen since the 1964 National Jamboree. A unique patch commemorating the event was distributed. Highlights included an address by Ben H. Love, Chief Scout Executive, comments from National Chief Jack Stephens, and remarks by OA Chairman Carl M Marchetti and National Director G. Allen Mossman.

As in past years, a number of National OA Committee members provided valuable leadership to the Jamboree including leadership for the Youth Services Subcamp.

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Second Philmont OA Trek

The OA’s second OA Philmont Trek, Aug. 11-22, 1989, coincided with the second year of Philmont Scout Ranch’s two-year 50th anniversary. Over a 12 day period more than 800 Arrowmen took part in five-day treks through the backcountry tackling routes graded as “typical”, “rugged”, “strenuous” and “super-strenuous". Along the way they took part in discussion groups and opportunities to further develop the Trek theme ‘’These High Places are Within You.”

Trek vice chiefs were John Meckley, Erik Hansen, Brian Rudie, Dan Simons, Bill Kirkner and Tony Steinhardt with lead Advisers Esten Grubb, Dusty Sparks, Billy Walley, Rick Breithaupt, Gene Schnell and Larry Young. Most of the Arrowmen earned the special Challenge Pin shaped like the Tooth of time. As was the case in 1985, a mid-trek rendezvous was a highlight of the experience that challenged each Arrowman in a special rededication ceremony featuring the ceremony team from Amangamek Wipit Lodge that won first place at the 1988 NOAC Ceremonies Competition.

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1989 National Planning Meeting

With the 75th Anniversary NOAC on the horizon, the Section Chiefs met for the National Planning Meeting in Dallas, Texas. John Meckley of Woapeu Sisilija Lodge, Milton, Pennsylvania was elected National Chief and Tony Steinhardt of Nischa Chuppecat Lodge, Bloomington, Indiana National Vice Chief. Both John and Tony had distinguished themselves serving as Philmont Trek Vice Chiefs earlier in the year. Region Chiefs elected were Matt Hoag – Northeast Region, Michael Hartman – East Central Region, Teddy Shelton – Southeast Region, Chris Beldin – North Central Region, Tom Stephenson – South Central Region and Ryan Mecham – Western Region.

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1990 DSA Recipients

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is presented to those Arrowmen who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional, or national basis. The following were presented the DSA at the 1990 National Order of the Arrow Conference - Donald R. Adkins, James M. Alexander III, John Kevin Bokesch, Angelo A. Cappelli, Charles A. Chase Sr., Mark J. Chilutti, Albert C. Christoph, Gene V. Clemens, Michael M. Creagh, Chris Crews, Wayne L. Dukes, R. D. Dunkin, B. Jay Fairbanks III, Daniel Fee, Robert E. Fenty Jr., Rudy Flythe, David William Garrett, John T. Gutkoski, Mark A. Henry, Wade A. Herbranson, Kevin K. Hudson, Gordon A. Knapp, Richard H. Leet, Patrick W. McGowan, Stephen S. Meinhold, Kerry R. Molin, Jeff C. Moser, Charles V. Neil, C. Randy Piland, Bobby R. Rainwater, Louis Romond, William Rooney, Brian P. Rudie, D. W. "Si" Simons, Michael Southall, Challen Wells and Harold A. Yocum.

3, Awards, OA, Scouting

Persian Gulf War

Operation Desert Storm, popularly known as the first Gulf War, was the U.S. - Allied response to Iraq's attempt to overwhelm neighboring Kuwait. On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait and then on the morning of January 16, 1991, under the auspicies of a UN resolution, Allied forces began the first phase of Operation Desert Storm, also known as Operation Desert Shield. This was a decisive victory for the coalition forces, which liberated Kuwait and advanced into Iraqi territory. The coalition ceased their advance, and declared a cease-fire 100 hours after the ground campaign started.

3, Non-Scouting