Politics & Government

Huge Crowd Turns Out For Scout Ceremony

Event marked the national organization's 100th anniversary.

It was impossible to tell how many Boy and Cub Scouts surrounded the Chatham gazebo on Monday evening. The crowd was just too large.

Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, family members, religious leaders and elected officials from Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Madison and Florham Park came to Chatham to commemmorate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scout organization, and about 500 people were in attendance. Boy and Cub Scout troops across the country held similar ceremonies on Monday night to mark the occasion.

"Tonight, your mission is to go out and share what happens tonight," master of ceremonies Loren Taylor told the crowd. Taylor is the vice president of strategic initiatives for the Scouts' Patriots' Path Council. which encompasses the Chathams, Madison and Florham Park.

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Scouts held aloft candles they lit at the event and recited their oath. They also listened to speeches from Borough Mayor Nelson Vaughan, Township Councilman William O'Connor and state Assemblyman Alex DeCroce, R-Morris.

The officials praised the organization.

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"Everyone should become involved in scouting," DeCroce said.

Vaughan said he was pleased the four municipalities have all shown their dedication to the Boy and Cub Scouts throughout the years. He gave a short presentation in the borough's Council Chambers before the ceremony recognizing the Scouts' service to their community.

Various Scouts said the large turnout was meaningful to them.

"I think people care about it a lot," said Troop 8 member Paul Carroll. Troop 8 is based in Chatham.

Photos from the event are above at right.


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