Below is the article from the PJ Star, with pics:
Scouts retain members with military living history program
MORTON —
Leadership, responsibility and preparedness aren't usually words that are associated with 14-year-old boys.
But for the members of Morton Troop 85, those are more than words: They're characteristics that are present in every Scout, from Tenderfoot to Eagle.
Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts gathered alongside members of the Morton Optimist Club for a dual celebration of anniversaries on Sunday. The Optimists celebrated 80 years, and for 75 of those the club has been the official sponsor of Troop 85.
Joe Leibold, a past president and current treasurer for the Optimists, says that being an Optimist means forgetting how old you are.
"I'm ancient," Leibold said.
He's actually 55 and was a Scout himself. "Scouts help kids set their morals," he said. "These boys build leadership and lifetime friendships."
Scoutmaster Phil Spegler expressed pride Sunday in the ability to help and the opportunity to watch his Scouts grow from boys into men.
"I don't have (just) two kids," Spegler said of his sons Colby and Carson, "I've got 28."
Spegler's second-in-command, Assistant Scoutmaster Cory Smith, thinks he's found a way to keep kids' interest in scouting after they enter high school, where participation usually dwindles.
The East Peorian established a program where Scouts can choose an era that interests them and study the time period, wear the clothes, and acquire the gear that soldiers from the Revolutionary War up to World War II used on a daily basis.
"This is stuff you can't learn in textbooks. Phil knows that from wearing that Civil War uniform last spring," Smith said of Spegler, who looked at the wool uniform with a decided lack of nostalgia. "Especially with the older boys who lose interest, this is a chance for them to build their own persona."
For 15-year-old J.D. Dishman of East Peoria, his leadership skills are already being put to the test. The Life Scout is a den master for his father's Cub Scouts troop and hopes to make the rank of Eagle Scout before his 18th birthday, something he's optimistic about.
"I'm looking at getting my stuff ready for next year hopefully," Dishman said. "I think I'll make it; all the others in my troop and family are encouraging me, so that makes me feel pretty good about my chances."
Dishman's fellow troop members, Dylan Newell and Ryan Schmidt, donned their era-appropriate dress for Sunday's celebration. Newell dressed in the jungle camouflage of the Vietnam War, while Schmidt wore the formal uniform of the United States Marine Corps, circa 1942.
They talked in the plain-spoken terms of two disciplined young men about what they've learned from Scouting.
"I have a lot better manners now," Schmidt said, as Newell grinned.
Leadership is good, but manners are probably a good start.
Justin Glawe can be reached at 686-3196 or jglawe@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinGlawe.
But for the members of Morton Troop 85, those are more than words: They're characteristics that are present in every Scout, from Tenderfoot to Eagle.
Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts gathered alongside members of the Morton Optimist Club for a dual celebration of anniversaries on Sunday. The Optimists celebrated 80 years, and for 75 of those the club has been the official sponsor of Troop 85.
Joe Leibold, a past president and current treasurer for the Optimists, says that being an Optimist means forgetting how old you are.
"I'm ancient," Leibold said.
He's actually 55 and was a Scout himself. "Scouts help kids set their morals," he said. "These boys build leadership and lifetime friendships."
Scoutmaster Phil Spegler expressed pride Sunday in the ability to help and the opportunity to watch his Scouts grow from boys into men.
"I don't have (just) two kids," Spegler said of his sons Colby and Carson, "I've got 28."
Spegler's second-in-command, Assistant Scoutmaster Cory Smith, thinks he's found a way to keep kids' interest in scouting after they enter high school, where participation usually dwindles.
The East Peorian established a program where Scouts can choose an era that interests them and study the time period, wear the clothes, and acquire the gear that soldiers from the Revolutionary War up to World War II used on a daily basis.
"This is stuff you can't learn in textbooks. Phil knows that from wearing that Civil War uniform last spring," Smith said of Spegler, who looked at the wool uniform with a decided lack of nostalgia. "Especially with the older boys who lose interest, this is a chance for them to build their own persona."
For 15-year-old J.D. Dishman of East Peoria, his leadership skills are already being put to the test. The Life Scout is a den master for his father's Cub Scouts troop and hopes to make the rank of Eagle Scout before his 18th birthday, something he's optimistic about.
"I'm looking at getting my stuff ready for next year hopefully," Dishman said. "I think I'll make it; all the others in my troop and family are encouraging me, so that makes me feel pretty good about my chances."
Dishman's fellow troop members, Dylan Newell and Ryan Schmidt, donned their era-appropriate dress for Sunday's celebration. Newell dressed in the jungle camouflage of the Vietnam War, while Schmidt wore the formal uniform of the United States Marine Corps, circa 1942.
They talked in the plain-spoken terms of two disciplined young men about what they've learned from Scouting.
"I have a lot better manners now," Schmidt said, as Newell grinned.
Leadership is good, but manners are probably a good start.
Justin Glawe can be reached at 686-3196 or jglawe@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinGlawe.
