Court of Honor event marks end of Nashville Troop 356

An invitation to attend an upcoming Nashville Boy Scout Troop 356 function is being sent out to all who have been connected with the troop’s endeavors over the past three-quarters of a century, and while it will be fun to reminisce, fellowship and share memories, the evening also will be a somber occasion.

The event will be a Final Court of Honor chicken barbecue dinner that will signify the end of Nashville Troop 356. It will be held Friday, March 22 at 6 p.m. at Nashville United Methodist Church.

One of the area’s older Scout troops, the membership has dwindled over the years, and despite the best efforts of some to keep the troop operable, there simply isn’t enough membership to do so.

Troop 356 member Quentin Vehrs said the official charter says the troop was founded in 1979, but he has a photograph of the troop from as far back as 1954 to signify it has been around much longer.

“I’ve had many people tell me that it dates back into the 1950s,” Vehrs said. “We just can’t seem to get enough members. You need 10 to recharter, and we have two.”

Vehrs has been a member of the troop since he started in the BSA years ago, and now as a junior at West Holmes High School, he will have to find a new troop home elsewhere.

“It’s a pretty sad day for me and for others who have been a part of the troop,” Vehrs said. “There’s so much history and memories tied into the troop over the decades. It will be sad to see it go away.”

He said while others have said they needed to simply end the charter, Vehrs was hanging on to hope until the final moment.

‘I’ve tried everything I can, and I’m at the point now where it just got to be too much to try to keep it going, and I felt kind of defeated knowing it was coming to an end and there wasn’t much I could do to prevent it,” Vehrs said.

The Final Court of Honor chicken barbecue dinner is open to anyone who has been a part of the Nashville troop over the decades. It will feature a half chicken, green beans, apple sauce and a dinner roll, and the evening also will honor the final two members of the troop.

There will be door prizes, and anyone attending is invited to bring any memorabilia, old photographs and anything else connected to Troop 356.

Vehrs said they are currently creating a Nashville Troop 356 history book with old photos, and they are asking anyone with old photos to contact them so they can be included.

“We would like to have some giveaways with door prizes and really create some neat memories for people to see,” said Vehrs, who said completing his Eagle Scout project of rebuilding and retimbering the aging Nashville Village sign will be a little different as he completes it with another troop.

The cost to attend the event is $10 per person (meal), with RSVPs needed by March 15. Anyone wishing to attend may call Dusty Vehrs at 330-231-7030. Those attending can pay the evening of the event, but RSVPs are required.