Boy Scout Troop 57 - History, 1940s

Troop 57 History - 1940s

Troop Room Entrance

In 1945, Garland had grown from a small town of some 2,000 people to approximately 7,000. Rev. W. D. Craig, then pastor of the First Methodist Church, saw the need for an organization that would provide a worthwhile program for boys. Realizing that the need went deeper than entertainment or keeping them occupied, he chose Scouting because of its basic principles. He, like many others, believed that Scouting can become a way of life and that it is hard for a good Scout to grow up to be a bad man. Accordingly, he applied for a charter on January 12, 1945, and so Troop 57 was born.

The distinction of being the first Scoutmaster went to Charles E. Struwe, and Assistant Scoutmaster was Kenneth Gray. Chairman of the Committee was Harold A. Mielke, and the committee members were Morse H. Marklely, W. F. McMahan, and Rev. W. D. Craig.

The charter members of the troop were:

Davis McKinney
Hal Ticknor, Jr.
Lyle Tucker
Don Squibb, Jr.
Preston Karrick
Dan Poe
Billy Sanders
Leslie Durloo, Jr.
Paul Pendergraft
John McCurrry
Bill Holmes
Thomas Browning
Bobby Stringer
Don Ray Monroe
John Range
Louis Mungioli
Bobby Hamilton
Edward Wilson
Lester Hart
Edwin Williams
Malcolm Petway

The first 8 boys were registered on January 24, 1945, and the others soon followed. Assistant Scoutmaster Kenneth Gray was registered on November 1, 1945. On January 30, 1945, the troop adopted the standard troop budget plan.

1945

During 1945 there were 4 advancements to Tenderfoot, 4 to Second Class, and 1 to First Class.
Preston Kerrick advanced to Life on October 22, 1945.

Meetings were held at the Church, and the troop was divided into 3 patrols.

Committee Chair Harrison

1946

In 1946, Charles Struwe was still Scoutmaster, and Kenneth Gray was Assistant Scoutmaster. L. M. Watkins also became an Assistant Scoutmaster. Chairman of the Committee was Frank McMahan, and the Committee was composed of J. D. Squibb, Aubrey Skelton, Rev. Craig, and J. Nicholson. There were 15 Scouts registered. Senior Patrol Leader was Preston Karrick, and Scribe was Eddie Williams. The highlight of 1946 was the Scout-Cub Carnival held at the Athletic Field by Troop 57, Troop 61 of the Baptist Church, and the Cub pack. There were sideshows and concessions and this was the first organized money-raising campaign for Troop 57.

The troop flag was bought in 1946. That year, there were 11 advancements to Tenderfoot, 10 to Second Class, and 1 to Life. Don Squibb advanced from First Class to Star on April 15, 1946 and to Life on July 1, 1946. Eddie Williams advanced to Star on April 15, 1946 and Don Ray Monroe on July 15, 1946.

Committee Chair Harrison

1947

In 1947, eight new Scouts registered, together with 18 who were already in. Kenneth Gray became Scoutmaster, and his assistants were W. D. Prichett and L. M. Watkins. E. G. Smith was Chairman of the Committee, and members were J. D. Squibb, W. D. Craig, and A. Skelton. Tom Sawyer was Institutional Representative. Meetings were held at the Scout hut on the Athletic Field. Four advancements were made to Tenderfoot, 5 to Second Class, 4 to First Class, 2 to Star, and 3 to Life. Don Squibb advanced to Eagle on January 20, 1947.

The main money-raising program in 1947 was the paper pick-up held once a month. A. B. Harris furnished the truck for this project. That year a 3-day summer camp was held at Lake Dallas.

Committee Chair Harrison

1948

In 1948, seven men were registered and 15 boys. Kenneth Gray was Scoutmaster and W. D. Prichett Assistant Scoutmaster. C. E. Struwe was Institutional Representative. E. G. Smith was Chairman of the Committee, and members were L. M. Watkins, J. D. Squibb, and W. D. Craig. Meetings were held at the Scout hut. Ten boys advanced to Tenderfoot, 2 to Second Class, and 2 to First Class. Don Ray Monroe advanced to Eagle on February 17, 1948, and Preston Karrick advanced to Eagle on March 16, 1948.

Ten boys and Kenneth Gray spent a week at Camp Wisdom for summer camp. This was the first group of this size to attend.

Committee Chair Harrison

1949

Nine men were registered in 1949 and 14 boys. Kenneth Gray was Scoutmaster, and Assistants were D. B. Clements and Sam Gray. Curtis Crossman, Jr. was Institutional Representative and W. E. Peters Chairman of the Committee. Members were A. T. Burton, Jr., L. H. Tidwell, J. D. Squibb, and E. B. Anderton. The meeting place was changed to the Youth Building at the First Methodist Church.

Twenty-six advancements were made to Tenderfoot, 8 to Second Class, 2 to First Class, 2 to Star, and 1 to Life. Don Squibb advanced to Gold Palm on March 15, 1949.

In February of 1949, the Scouts of Troop 57 took over all the city offices for one day. In the summer of 1949, they attended summer camp at Wisdom. It was about this time that the boys became know as "Heinz 57" troop all over the district, and received a letter from a Heinz executive.

Committee Chair Harrison