Boy Scouts to hold parade in Rockville Centre

The 100th anniversary parade for the nation’s first Eagle Scout, Arthur R. Eldred, from Boy Scout Troop 1 in Rockville Centre, is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8. Parade participants, including units from the Theodore Roosevelt Council of Boy Scouts of America and the National Eagle Scout Association, BSA leaders, family members and local officials will step off from Municipal Parking Field 2 on Randall Avenue. They will proceed north to Eldred Park, on the corner of North Centre Avenue and Parkwood Court, where a commemoration ceremony, expected to be an event symbolic of the impact that the Boy Scouts of America has had on millions of boys across the nation, will take place. The public is invited to join in the celebration.

Eldred received his Eagle award on Aug. 21, 1912. Since that date, more than 100 million boys have enjoyed the boy scouting experience, but only 2 million or so of them have achieved the rank of Eagle. Eldred was born in Brooklyn then moved to Long Island after his father died, and became a member of Troop 1, Rockville Centre in Nov. 1910 (eight months after scouting began in the United States). He advanced through the ranks and less than two years after joining, he was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout.

“The Boy Scouts of America is a youth-centered organization with a long, impressive history. I find it gratifying to be a part of its mission during this particular year as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Eagle Scout Award with a parade and other festivities. Every Boy Scout, regardless of their rank, has the opportunity to make friends, take part in wholesome activities and prepare to be a leader and responsible citizen.  For 100 years scout leaders, families and friends have encouraged and supported boys on Long Island in their efforts to follow Arthur R. Eldred’s example and work to achieve the rank of Eagle,” said Jay Garee, scout executive/CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Council of the Boy Scouts of America.