Masonic Scouter Award

[Sir.Mike]

On Friday, July 25, at the Official Visit of Most Worshipful Edmund
Cohen, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, to District Number 22, The
Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award was presented to Worshipful
Brother Harley O. “Buddy” Baker of Blue Ridge.

Many Freemasons nationwide have been of great service to the Boy
Scouts of America by supporting the development of Scouting units,
serving as volunteers, and assisting their Masonic lodges in forming
and sponsoring Scout units. The relationship between individual Masons
and Scouting, which has existed since the founding of Scouting in
America, has resulted in immeasurable benefits for both Freemasonry
and Scouting.

The award is presented to a Master Mason who is currently a registered
Scouter and active in a Scout unit, district, council, or national
affiliate, and has displayed outstanding dedication to the Scouting
program through: developing of Scouting units; assisting lodges in
forming units; exemplifying the Scout Law and Masonic virtues;
recruiting Scouting volunteers; and strengthening the relationship
between Freemasonry and Scouting. Work accomplishment and dedication,
rather than a specific number of years in Scouting, is the criteria
for this award.

Worshipful Brother Baker is a member of Boone Lodge No. 247 in
Troutville, where he served as Worshipful Master in both 1975 and
1989, Tiler for many years, has served on the Steward Committee
cooking for the Lodge and several other committees within the Lodge.
He has been an active member of the Boy Scouts of America for over 50
years, organized Troop 136 in 1952, and has served on the Staff of
nine National Jamborees. His awards with the Boy Scouts of America
include the District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver Award, Order of the
Arrow Award, and the Vigil Honor Award.