Troop 3 originally started in Bristol in 1914, meeting at the Bristol,
Virginia Courthouse, with J. C. Hockett as Scoutmaster. No records remain today showing
the tenure of this Troop from 1914 until 1922.
In February 1922, Troop 3 was organized and chartered in the Appalachian Council by First Presbyterian Church of Bristol and has been chartered since. In 1925, the Chief Benge-Cherokee Council was formed in Bristol and included Troop 3. It was later determined that Chief Benge was a renegade Indian chief and Sequoyah Council was formed in 1932. In 1975, Sequoyah Council acknowledged that Troop 3 was the oldest active troop in the Council.
Scouting with First Presbyterian Church was enhanced by the addition of Sea Scout Ship 212 prior to World War II. In 1943, the Church started Cub Scout Pack 3 and added Explorer Post 3 in 1946. Of these units, only the Sea Scout Ship is not in existence today, In addition, the Church has sponsored Girl Scout units over the years.
The achievements, obtained by the boys and leaders of Troop 3 over the years, have been so numerous it is impossible to relate.
In the field of Scouting, over one hundred and forty (140) boys have
obtained the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouting’s highest youth award. The national
average shows that two (2) of every one hundred (100) boys obtains this rank. Over the
years, Troop 3 has presented the Scouting program to over 1500 boys. This indicates that
as a unit, Troop 3’s youth, have earned the Eagle award more than four (4) times the
national average. Also, in the 1950’s, when it was being awarded, several of the
Explorers in Post 3 earned the Silver Award, which was the equivalent to the Eagle in
Exploring.
The first Eagle was awarded in 1932 to Sidney Whitaker. Dr. Whitaker. A member of our Church, was still registered with the Troop until his passing, over sixty-five (65) years later. Dr. Whitaker’s tenure is indicative of many of the adults that have served the troop over the years. These adults have also earned many awards in scouting.
Many of our Eagles have continued their education and training to become: Hospital Administrators; Corporate Executives; Pharmacists; Medical Doctors; Dentists; Lawyers; College Professors; Ministers; appointed to the Uniformed Services Academies; and Military 0fficers.
The Order of the Arrow is a national honor camping society for Scouts and Scouters. Several youth and adult members of the Troop have been elevated to the Vigil Honor by their peers. On the district level, members of the Troop have held many offices. On the council level, our Troop has supplied five Lodge Chiefs; and on the regional level, four officers; and on the national level, one officer. Currently two of our scouts represent the Troop on the district, regional and national level.
Troop 3 has been represented at every national jamboree and two world jamborees.
Six or more of our scouts have entered the ministry:
- Louis Sandos
- George Conn
- Miller Liston
- Charles Stine Wilson, Jr.
- Bobby Rhea
In 1948, during his senior year in high school, Charles Stine Wilson, Jr. was selected as one of the two Scouts nationally to present the annual status report to Harry S. Truman, President of the United States.
The highest council honor, the Silver Beaver, has been awarded to the following adult members of the Troop 3 scouting family:
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Ocanosta District has recognized many of the Troop 3 adults by presenting them the highest district award, the Pioneer Award. They are:
- Herb N, VanNostrand, III
- G. Allen Hoback *
- Dolores "Dee" Smith
- Colleen Smith Marsh
- Jack Kilbreath
- Bill Beverly*
- Wade Hampton Tate, III*
- Thomas E. Knoll, Sr. *
- James E. Smith, Sr.
- Fred R. Knickerbocker, M.D.
- William G. Whitaker
- Leland F. Dingman, Sr.
- Hawley H. Heglar
- John M. Chandler, M.D.
- Andy Dyer
- Anna L. Booher
- Phil Bailey