Celebrating 'Scout Sunday' in the community

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Today, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder honored the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Scouting.

"Today, I am proud to honor the Boy Scouts of America on this tremendous milestone," Kinder said. "Missouri has a rich history with Scouting and with the corporate and civic leaders who once wore the uniform of a Scout. Today, many of us are reminded of our solemn oath: duty to God and country, duty to others, and duty to self."

Kinder earned his Eagle Scout Award in 1969 as a member of BSA Troop 3 sponsored by Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was presented the award in February of 1970 at the BSA court of honor hosted by the Southeast Missouri Council. The class was named in honor of Senator Stuart Symington.

There are six BSA councils located in the state of Missouri. The BSA's birthday is celebrated annually on Feb. 8, marking the date of incorporation in 1910.

Locally, Cub Scout Pack 89 Leader Charlie Brown said he encourages scouts everywhere to celebrate Scout Sunday.

"We encourage all scouts and churches to celebrate Scout Sunday," Brown said. "Some churches recognize the scouts, leaders, and former scouts during their worship service. We also have some churches where scouts participate in the church service serving as flag bearers, acolytes, greeters, ushers, bible readers, liturgists and sometimes scouts and scout leaders have even delivered the sermon.

"A central theme of Scout Sunday is to emphasize that belief in God is a central part of the Boy Scouts of America and we want our youth to participate in their local congregations."

Brown said Scout Sunday is always a part of scout anniversary week in February each year, adding that it is a great way for churches and the Boy Scouts of America to partner in developing young men and women.

"Also, on Scout Sunday often times we recognize scouts that have earned their religious award like God & Me and Joyful Servant," Brown said. "Many churches have special awards to honor their church members that are involved in the scouting program and present these awards on Scout Sunday."

In the fall of 2009, The Great Rivers Council of BSA announced that Kinder was being awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. The recognition is given to Eagle Scouts who have distinguished themselves in their life work and who give back to their communities. The award has been bestowed upon less than 2,000 of the 2 million Eagle Scouts who have attained the rank in the 100 years of Scouting.

Kinder will be given the award at a ceremony in Jefferson City on April 6,5 2010.

For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, log on to www.scouting.org.