Testimony Time

Troop 127 continued to grow from 12 chartered scouts to 30-35, and due to the dedicated adult volunteers, it continued to be a boy lead troop. We all continued to advance at our own pace. We learned many wonderful skills, such as transmitting morse code using specially made signal lights Mr. Wilkinson built, or the monthly campouts throughout the Lehigh Valley area. We even had our own special camp; Camp Sarge, that a farmer donated to the troop.

The 12 chartered scouts did not realize until we all approached the rank of Life that we 12 would all eventually become Eagle Scouts. Twelve Scouts, 12 points of the Scout Law, and all chartered becoming the first Troop’s Eagles. I achieved my Eagle at the very early age of 13 and many said I was too young for this high honor. Scouting was everything to me at this age and I was blessed by Mr. Wilkinson’s kindness and Scouting ethics. I remember my Eagle Board of Review and how all 5 board members kept asking me about all I had done in 2 ½ years to achieve this rank. They all kept stating, “don’t you think you are too young to wear this badge of excellence”, but I just kept stating how hard I worked and was thankful for my scoutmaster and all the adult volunteers.

I continued my devotion to many younger scouts, many achieving that Eagle Rank too, but the greatest Scouting remembrance came in 1960 when I was 15.

Back in 1958, Mr. Wilkinson discussed the possibility of going to Philmont Scout Ranch – an 1800-mile journey by car. We all agreed that this is something many of us wanted to do. We worked on fund raisers for 18 months to cover the costs, thanks to Mr. Wilkinson’s contacts for fundraisers. It did not cost us very much for this entire venture. It was only the beginning of more things to come.

In early 1959 Mr. Wilkinson found out that the 1960 Jamboree would be in Colorado Springs, scheduled for a time shortly after our planned trek to Philmont. Guess what, more memorable experiences and a chance to do something I would never forget – two major scouting events in one summer. It was also the 50^th anniversary of Scouting with many memorable Scout patches.

The drive to Philmont was a great learning experience as we travelled to many historical places, not rushing to get to New Mexico as soon as possible. We stopped in Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, and Texas before arriving in New Mexico. Everything was planned by the Scouts and leaders to learn about our Nation’s History as we traveled like the wagon trains did so many years ago.

Philmont was hard for many as we acclimated to the altitude and temperature changes. We saw everything The Tooth of Time, Baldy Mountain, deer and antelope, and even experienced a hailstorm coming down from the Tooth of Time as we sang Christmas Carols going to our campsite. Mr. Wilkinson suffered from severe asthma, and we all did not know to what extent it would impact our trek at Philmont. As we traveled, we secretly lightened the backpack of Mr. Wilkinson by taking out food or tenting items so he did not struggle. Spam was one meal we all agreed we would not miss when we returned home. Now after 60 years, spam is still given out as part of the meals.

Next, we were off to Colorado Springs from July 22 -28, where we enjoyed some time to somewhat relax, but enjoy all the festivities of the 50^th Anniversary of Scouting. One memorable experience was standing along the road for hours waiting for President Eisenhower to arrive.

We saw many historic places in Colorado too before heading home; the Air Force Academy which just opened, the Royal Gorge, Pueblo Indian Reservations, Gold Mining in Carson City. It was a historic trip and so memorable.

We arrived home in early August, and we were all anxiously looking forward to getting together in celebration of this once-in-a-lifetime Scouting adventure. The celebration turned me upside down when Mr. Wilkinson went to the hospital and died suddenly. His memories live on to this day as I have a picture taken at Philmont of him hiking on my desk. I struggled to play Taps at his funeral and vowed that, if possible, I would devote years to scouting in his memory. Now after many years in Scouting, I still think about this summer of 1960 and how much this man gave to Scouting in 4 years. So, I wear this special Philmont Patch over my heart as a tribute to a great Scoutmaster.

Jim Crawford serves as the Occoneechee Council Executive Board’s Vice President of Philanthropy, and he and his wife Sue have been dedicated supporters of Scouting for many years. He first shared this story at the Occoneechee Council’s 2025 James E. West Fellowship Camp Tour & Program, and graciously allowed us to share it with all of you in memory of Donald Wilkinson.