Ohio Flags Of Honor

The "Ohio Flags Of Honor" were displayed in Portsmouth
the weekend of February 17 - 19, 2006
Troop 12 had an active role

Portsmouth boasts Ohio's first three Eagle Scouts

Leadership
Scouting's highest rank, The Eagle, is not easily acquired. The boy, in the process
of becoming a man, must prove himself in many ways. The most important of all is leadership.
The merit badges are great, they open many doors of experience and opportunity, the training
and subordinate ranks are key to the developement of the Scout. The "Position Of Responsibility"
and the leadership given during the Scout's Eagle Project, set the tone for the type of scout he is,
and quite possibly the type of man he shall be.

"Lest we not forsake the boy because of the man he could be, nor judge the man
as he was a boy."



Ohio's First Eagles
This picture was taken on the footsteps of the Ohio State capitol building in 1914.
A newspaper article, commemorating Boy Scout Week in 1954 celebrated the event.
After passing a National Board of Review,
local scouters were pleased to have Ohio's first
Eagles right here from Southern Ohio.
It was not until some 10 years later that supporters
began forming formal troops and Troop and Pack 12 emerged from the Franklin Avenue
United Methodist Church.(Historians agree that these three Eagles went on to be parts
of congregations that supported the formation of these first local troops, specifically 12.
The unit number 12 was awarded to a troop or pack chartered nationally by the
United Methodist Church. There could only be one Pack 12 and Troop 12 in any given council.
Since mergers have taken the local aspect out of much of scouting, you will now find more
than one "12" in many councils.)

To bring attention to this monumentous presentation, then local council Executive H. F. Kimsey,
the Scioto Area's first Scout Executive, arranged with then Ohio Governor James M. Cox
to present the awards on a stage at the steps of the Ohio Capitol Building in Columbus.
A total of 200 scouts rallied from all over Ohio to witness the ceremony. the newspaper account
noted hundreds more onlookers and scouting family members were all present.

This page honors these three.
We extend our appreciation to the families of our first Eagles,
and hope to hear more from those who knew them and can add to this account.

Harry Davidson went on to become a prominent medical doctor,
in charge of the Ford Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan.
Curtis F. Bellamy became a medical doctor and practiced in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Russel D. Williams was Ohio's first casualty in World War I, and for whom the local Russell D. Williams Post
of the American Legion is named after.

City of Portsmouth rolls out the Red Carpet as a large number
of American Flags, military flags, state, and other patriotic and civic
groups also dispalyed their banners.

Flags Of Honor Photos - Page One
Flags Of Honor Photos - Page Three


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