The History of Troop 64
Part VI

The Enduring Spirit

by
Wayne Sakal

Throughout the history of Scouting, troops have surmounted and collapsed. The final troop roster listed 695 months completed tenure. For over half a century Troop 64 flourished triumphantly. The conclusion of Troop 64's reign approached without much notice. No billboards or semaphore beckoned the final hour. Only a lone ink mark inscribed "Drop 3-1-88" on the final roster. Enshrined within a manila file of the Connecticut Yankee Council #72, Milford, Connecticut, USA.

A few echos throughout the town questioned "What ever happened to Troop 64?". The eight final Scouts modestly egressed the stage. The 64 essence was extinguished from when it was evoked 57 years ago by the ten charter Scouts

A year later, Troop 64 member David A. Wilson became the 1st Selectman of the Town of Trumbull for the next decade. By the end of 1997, a major restructuring ensued on the council level. Fairfield County Council #68 (1972-1997) merged with Quinnipiac Council #74 (1935-1997) which became Connecticut Yankee Council #72. The following year Tankiteke Lodge #313 (1972-1998) merged with Arcoon Lodge #369 (1947-1998) to form Owaneco Lodge #313.

Before the turn of the century, one summer afternoon, upon a slow watch at Trumbull EMS. Eagle Scout Peter Canevari began to remimiscence his recollections of the old troop with me. He then brought up the idea of creating a "Troop 64 Website". My inaugural inquisition was "what do you include?". Upon some deliberation, we harmonized on troop history.

I indicated to him that my server has allocated several megs of storage, more that I had prelogisticated use of. After Y2K was no longer a cataclysmal menace, I launched a primary Troop 64 Website after the turn of the century. The troop has been inactive for over a decade, was now rejuvenated in cyberspace.

My historical research commenced in February 2001. Several resources were used;

  1. 2/27/01-Poll and mailform launched on the web.
  2. 2/27/01-Peter Canevari, 9th Eagle Scout, email correspondence.
  3. 2/27/01-Robert Guertin, 12th & 14th Scoutmaster, email correspondence.
  4. 3/28/01-Brain Bassett, ASM, email correspondence.
  5. 7/17/01-James McClinch, Member, personal interview.
  6. 1/16/01-Trumbull Library, Searched Microfilm Records.
  7. 7/06/02-Rob Kutz, Scout Historian, email correspondence.
  8. 7/29/02-Joseph Wittmer, 25th Eagle Scout, Phone interview.
  9. 7/30/02-Mark Schiro, 15th Eagle Scout, Postal correspondence.
  10. 1/22/02-Ron Henchcliffe, 10th & 13th Scoutmaster, troop documents.
  11. 2/03/02-David Ambrose, 11th Scoutmaster, personal interview.
  12. 3/22/02-Ray Quaintance, 3rd Eagle Scout, personal interview.
  13. 4/04/02-Frank Magyar, local historian, newspaper archives.
  14. 7/05/03-Jack Stawarky, ASM, troop documentation.
  15. 7/06/03-Robert Shadick, 1st Eagle Scout, phone interview.
  16. 7/06/03-Eben Joy, 4th Scoutmaster, phone interview.
  17. 7/06/03-John Fillman, Member, phone interview.
  18. 2/02/04-William Fitzgerald, 4th Eagle Scout, phone interview.

On July 12th, 2001 made a trek to Connecticut Yankee Council #72, located in Milford, Connecticut, USA. Wondered what records remained within their archives as I entered the office. Along one wall, a series of stately display cases stood. I turned and gazed through the glass. A miniture museum of Scout memorabila emerged before me. Saw copies of the handbook, fieldbook and merit badge books that I once used to develop my Scouting skills. Badges that at one time embellished my uniform. As my glance moved further back in time, actual photographs of Daniel Carter Beard and Ernest Seton before a Connecticut backdrop adorned the display. Items once contemporary to me, were now antique artifacts.

After a momentary trip into antiquity, turned to the present and hiked toward the reception desk. Introduced myself as Troop 64's Historian while being surrounded by logos of the 2001 National Scout Jamboree. A young lady escorted me to a file room. Walked along a succession of shelved manila file folders. A quick stop, a reach, then a slight pull. A lone file marked "Troop 64" was extracted. Next, the council provided me with a table along with access to a copier.

Sat upon a desk, gently opened the file to see what treasures await. The file contained troop rosters and charters from 1942 to 1971. Felt as if Troop 64's enduring spirit was revived. I copied each document to regenerate annals lost for over half a century. Found it entrancing that legends once depicted at troop campfiles were once mere mortals like us. Hard to believe that your Scoutmaster was once a Scout in the troop, comparable to the adventures that you encountered. These facts gave me extensive material to assimilate.

The following month on August 9th, 2001 I returned to the Connecticut Yankee Council office. My quest was for the years before 1942 and after 1971. Most council personnel were in preparation for the 2001 Jamboree. A second Troop 64 file was found starting in 1972 when Pomperaug Council merged to form Fairfield County Coucnil. We were just unable to locate any troop files earlier then 1942.

Ronald Henchcliffe, the 10th/13th Scoutmaster, indicated to me that he has a box of old troop records. On January 22nd, 2002 he dispatched the box via UPS. A cardboard package acted as a recepticale of troop memorabila. The periods of documentation portrayed the early 1970's and 1980's. A few photopgraphs, newspaper clippings, maps and documents continued to illustrate Troop 64's past.

While still pursuing that inceptive troop charter, the best I can do for now is a June 2nd, 1929 Connecticut Post article. On April 4th, 2002, Sue Del Bianco gave me a newspaper copy found by local historian Frank Magyar.

As the historical collection was progressing, several members expressed interest in a reunion. On Friday January 23rd, 2004, I entered the recreation department. Reserved the pavilion at Old Mine Park for Sunday May 16th, 2004 as the time and location of the reunion site. Picked that date because that is what is believed to be the 75th annerversery of the founding of the troop. Communication of this event was word of mouth, website and email.

On May 16th, 2004 a small group gathered at 1 PM for the first reunion of Troop 64 members since its charter ended. The location was Old Mine Park, an area where troop membeers once explored the old mines, swam the cool waters of the Pequonnock River, hiked and camped its old mining trails. The swimming has long since ended in the park, a soccer game played out in the distance. The event was held at the lower picnic pavilion built in 1992, commissioned by First Selectman David A. Wilson, a troop member who could not be present at this event. Deborah Primps setup a table of memorabilia that acted as the centerpiece along with hosting guest relations for this event.

Eagle Scout Brandon Woolley traveled in from Maine for the occasion. The troop's 1st Eagle Scout Robert Shadick and his family attended the event. Robert talked of the early years of the troop and how his father Thomas Shadick served as Scoutmaster from 1934 to 1941. Former Scoutmasters David Ambrose and Ronald Henchcliffe were present. Scouts Billy Rowe and Patrick Sullivan supplied stories transcending three decades of troop folklore.

The reunion came to a close when the last Scoutmaster, Victor Spigarolo Jr. presented the Troop 64 flag to me for safekeeping. We flew the flag once again which has been dormant for over two decades. Upon closing, he flag was folded, members departed till the next time the Troop 64 sprit will be revived. Commertive Troop 64 patches were printed up and sent to all participants. It was decided that attempts to hold reunions approximately every three years. On June 17th, 2004 The Trumbull Times reported on the Troop 64 Reunion.

The search for Troop 64 history still continues...

Part IV

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© 2004 by Troop 64---Updated 6/16/2004---Ver 3.01
URL:http://home.att.net/~sakal/pages/hist6.htm