William T. Johnson's Scout Hut

As I understand it, my father was Scoutmaster of Troop 34 in 1930 and was instrumental in getting the scout hut constructed. At any rate, he took me to the hut a few times in the early '30s and I remember some of the scouts. I remember climbing the ladder to the attic area where some patrol meeting rooms had been built. Later, when I was a scout and a patrol leader - I named the patrol "The Flaming Arrow" - I built a patrol room in the attic. With the help of a patrol mate, Fortson Sloan, I earned the money to buy the lumber from Jackson Lumber Co. On at least two Saturdays we delivered Octagon soap papers for my uncle Lloyd at our family store - $1.65 - and used the money to buy culled lumber. I forget how long it took to build the room. I was Scoutmaster for a few years in the '50s.

William T. Johnson's Big Surprise

A few days ago my friend Patty, told me we had been invited to dessert and coffee by our friends Allen and Patricia at 7:40 on Tuesday night. I said I would go if I didn't have to wear a tie. That was all right, she said. After supper Tuesday my friend Bob came to drive us and Patty urged us out of the house before 7:20 so we wouldn't be late. It seems that Bob didn't want to be early so he drove us around town more than I thought normally necessary for the six-mile trip. We reached our hosts' house at almost exactly 7:40 and I noticed several familiar cars there, Chan's 1957 Bel Air Chevrolet, Pug and Kay's Chrysler New Yorker, and Jimmy and Jane's pickup truck. I asked Bob if he knew why they were there and he said "We are having a Boy Scout meeting." I disagreed, saying I hadn't called a meeting (I was the guys' Scoutmaster 50+ years ago.) We were greeted warmly and ushered into the den, where I was put into the fanciest chair. Very quickly Allen stood up as if he were chairing a meeting. He pointed out that I had been Scoutmaster after the war and that he, Bob, and several other friends had decided I needed to be recognized. He then showed the result of their decision - a professionally-made shadow box displaying the insignia of my division - the 71st, a Combat Infantry Badge, and seven of my authorized medals. I said my thanks and appreciation as best I could, and we all adjourned to the formal dining room to be served. Patricia had two wonderful desserts, a strawberry pie and a fruit pie, and coffee. I was served one of each, and at Patricia's suggestion Patty placed me at the head of the dining room table. Fine conversation followed for an hour or so, and then we went home. A wonderful occasion, I thought.