WHEREAS, for 90 years, Boy Scout Troop 150 has provided opportunities for outdoor recreation, community service, and leadership development to boys and young men in Annandale; and

WHEREAS, established in 1928, Boy Scout Troop 150 held its first meeting at what is now Annandale United Methodist Church under the leadership of its first Scoutmaster, John W. Mercer; it is the oldest continuously operating troop in the Old Dominion District; and

WHEREAS, Boy Scout Troop 150 hosts exciting outdoor activities, including skiing, white water rafting, biking, caving, and campouts at historically significant locations and Goshen Scout Reservation, for which the troop routinely earns the Camp Adventure Award; and

WHEREAS, since 1951, 95 members of Boy Scout Troop 150 have achieved the highest rank in Scouting, Eagle Scout, and the troop currently has 15 Scouts and 7 adult members in the Order of the Arrow, an honor society that recognizes members who exemplify the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily lives; and

WHEREAS, Boy Scout Troop 150 places a high emphasis on leadership development and is proactive in recruiting and training Scouts and adult members who will succeed within the troop and strengthen the community as a whole; and

WHEREAS, with more than 1,000 community service hours in 2017, Boy Scout Troop 150 has significantly enhanced the quality of life of all Annandale residents; in 2017, the troop collected 7,790 pounds of food for the Annandale Christian Community for Action food pantry, more than any other troop or pack in the Old Dominion District; and

WHEREAS, Boy Scout Troop 150 has served the congregation of Annandale United Methodist Church by landscaping church grounds, cleaning the cemetery, and constructing playground equipment, a deck, and an access ramp; the troop also helped members of the church pack meals for Stop Hunger Now, which alleviates hunger in communities throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, through Eagle Scout service projects, members of Boy Scout Troop 150 have made trail improvements at local parks, refurbished the Annandale Fire Department local room, and supported Wounded Warriors, the Virginian Retirement Community, and the Annandale High School marching band; and

WHEREAS, Boy Scout Troop 150 has earned numerous awards and accolades throughout its history, including the Journey to Excellence Gold Award and the 2013 - 2014 Old Dominion District Most Valuable Unit Award; the troop was also selected as an honor guard for the White House in 2005; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Boy Scout Troop 150 hereby be commended on the occasion of its 90th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Larry Wood, Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 150, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the troop's long history and legacy of contributions to the Annandale community.