News & Features
Local Boy Scout troop celebrates 75th anniversary.
By Nick DeRatto
May 14, 2008 - 3:48:24 PM

Troop 161, 1933. The troop is presently known as Troop 819.

People attending this year’s Happening on the Green (H.O.G.) Barbeque will have more to do than just sample some good food and reconnect with neighbors. They’ll also have a chance to wish a happy birthday to one of Chester’s longest- running fixtures.

Boy Scout Troop 819 is celebrating their 75th anniversary this year, commemorating the occasion with a special display tent at the barbeque.

“Over the years, this troop has provided a great opportunity to let boys grow and help them to develop their leadership skills,” says Samuel Galstan, member of the Chester Rotary Club. “This is going to be a big event.”

With St. John’s Episcopal Church in Chester serving as the troop’s charter organization, Troop 819 has established themselves in the community, molding hundreds of Chester boys and young men.

“One of the greatest assets of the troop is that some of these kids are second-generation members, so we still have five or six of the older guys participating because they were members of the same troop,” says Dave Long, former Committee Chairman of Troop 819 and member of the Chester Rotary Club. “It’s beneficial to all concerned. It’s good for the community and enhances the lives of all of the young men who are involved.”

Started in 1933, the troop was originally known as Troop 161, meeting in a log cabin built by logs donated by the father of one of the troop’s first members, Judge Ernest Gates, where St. John Parish Hall is now located.  After a fire destroyed St. John’s in 1975, the cabin was demolished for the construction of a new church facility and a new cabin, the Messerly-Long Scout Cabin on property donated by the Evans family. Though the cabin has been damaged by fires twice since being built, both times it was refurbished and is still in use today by the troop.

“The community has been very supportive of this troop, donating time and materials to help build the cabins as well as providing time and mentoring for the young men,” says Galstan.
The scout cabin hasn’t been the only thing to undergo changes through the troop’s long and illustrious history. While St. John’s has served as the charter organization throughout the troop’s entire history, they have found support from a few other Chester organizations, including from Chester Presbyterian Church during the troop’s early years, and more recently, by the Chester Rotary Club.

“The Boy Scouts are all about service above self, which ties into the Rotary’s motto,” says Long. “We want to be able to help the youth in the community become strong citizens.”

The troop has also seen changes in their organizational structure and name, starting in 1970 when they were renamed Troop 819. The original Robert E. Lee Council’s name was changed several years ago to the Heart of Virginia Council, and the Shawondasee District’s name has been changed to the Arrohattoc District.

Despite these changes, the spirit of the troop has remained the same. Largely known as a boy-led troop and for their high adventure camping trips, members still make monthly camping trips and participate in hiking and community service activities year-round.

“Hank Dvorak was the Scoutmaster during part of the 1960s and 1970s, and recalls taking a five-day, 50-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail in 1968, which is indicative of the high adventure that this troop is known for,” says Galstan. “Being boy-run lets the boys grow and develop their leadership skills.”

Currently, Eagle Scout Alston Heggie serves as the Scoutmaster for Troop 819 with Eagle Scout Jamie Stapleton and former Scoutmaster Bill Messerly serving as assistant Scoutmasters. As part of their 75th anniversary celebration, the Chester Rotary Club will have a tent set up for the troop from 4-7 p.m. during the H.O.G. Barbeque on May 14 on the Village Green. Chester Rotary will also be presenting the troop with a plaque and all current, former and prospective members of the troop are encouraged to attend. The scout cabin is located on Dodomeade St., behind St. John’s Episcopal Church.

nderatto@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421 


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