05/12/2026
Facing adversity creates challenges. Challenges test our perseverance and resolve. Perseverance, in turn, leads to victory and success.
Troop 301 has faced adversity for more than 15 years.
In 2015, we lost one of our lifelong members, Silver Beaver recipient, and Troop Committee Chairman, Bill Gwaltney. Following Bill’s passing, our Scoutmaster Emeritus and fellow Silver Beaver recipient, Roger Chezem, stepped into the role of Troop Committee Chairman. We then lost Roger in 2018.
In 2019, we lost Ridge Pershing — a longtime Scout, new adult leader, troop quartermaster, and dear friend. That same year, our feeder Cub Scout Pack folded, and our longtime Scoutmaster, Tony Gwaltney, retired. Assistant Scoutmaster Adam Gwaltney assumed the role of Scoutmaster during one of the most difficult periods in our troop’s history.
Late 2019 and early 2020 brought the COVID-19 pandemic. The world shut down, and with it, nearly all of our recruiting outlets disappeared. Scouts began leaving the troop, and we faced the very real possibility of closure due to declining membership.
In May of 2020, Scoutmaster Gwaltney took a medical sabbatical after being diagnosed with cancer. Assistant Scoutmaster Weston Bell stepped up as interim Scoutmaster. During the height of COVID restrictions, the troop struggled just to hold weekly meetings, let alone monthly campouts and activities. Our numbers continued to decline as older Scouts aged out and few new Scouts were coming in.
The years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 were marked by struggle. We fought simply to maintain enough youth members to keep our doors open. We worked tirelessly to provide as normal of a Scouting program as possible, but the challenges were immense. Scouts came and went.
For years, we have taught our youth to never quit, never say “I can’t,” and never give up. Eventually, it became time for the adult leaders to lead by example.
There were many moments when giving up seemed easier. But there was always that voice saying, “Do not quit. You still have a mission in Anderson.”
Our adult leaders went into overdrive — giving everything they had, always showing up, and never saying “I quit.” Our Scouts and parents never gave up either. Together, they leaned forward and attacked the mission head-on.
And because of that, we are still here.
Seventy-five years later, Troop 301 continues its legacy.
Last night, we welcomed four — yes, FOUR — new Scouts into Troop 301. Our future continues. Our mission continues. We continue to lean forward and lead by example.
Leadership is difficult even in the best of times. But in the worst of times, leaders reveal their true character. The adult leaders of Troop 301 have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law through every hardship, and they remain committed to our mission of building principled leaders of character.
My heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone who has been part of Troop 301’s history and legacy. Hundreds — if not thousands — of people have helped shape this troop over the decades.
I have always been, and will always remain, proud to serve as Scoutmaster of Troop 301. I only hope that I am making my mentors — Bill Gwaltney, Roger Chezem, and Tony Gwaltney, all former Scoutmasters of Troop 301 — proud.
