Boy Scout Troop 200 based out of Lebanon Reformed Church in Lebanon, NJ. The troop meets on Mondays from 7:30pm-9pm at the church.
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All Scouts in Troop 200 wear the same back neckerchief with red stripe. This is to identify the Scouts as a common group but it also has historical significance. Lebanon Reformed Church is located right next to Holjes-Sheppard Memorial Park. Every year the town h
olds a big Independence Day parade, thus the exploding fireworks on our neckerchief. On the neckerchief are the names Holjes and Sheppard, two Troop 200 Scouts who gave their lives during the Vietnam War.
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Robert Porter Sheppard was born October 1, 1947 and lived in Lebanon, NJ. Robert enjoyed camping and was active in church work. He was Troop 200’s very first Eagle Scout. Robert entered the US Army where he attained the rank of Warrant Officer (WO). In 1970, Sheppard went to Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. He was chosen, along with twelve others for a flyby, i.e., when helicopters fly around in a circle formation almost nose to nose. On May 7, 1970, Sheppard was killed when his helicopter crashed in a combat zone. He was 22 years old.
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Frederick Y. Holjes was born February 10, 1945 and lived in Lebanon, NJ. He was a 1963 graduate of North Hunterdon High School. He received a full scholarship to the Citadel, where he was an outstanding student. Holjes served in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant. He was a 23 year old Ranger with the 101st Army Airborne Division. He was wounded by sniper fire on February 19, 1968 and hospitalized in Japan. He was given the chance to go home, but chose to return to his troops.