100 Years Later, Boy Scout Troop 36 Still Going Strong

The Boy Scouts ofOradell Troop 36 walk a little taller these days. The 54-member organization and its 13 Assistant Scoutmasters have the distinction of belonging to one of the first troops in New Jersey having been founded in 1911. One hundred years later, and Troop 36 is still going strong as part of the Northern New Jersey Council, Twin Valleys District.

Troop 36 recently celebrated its 100th Birthday in a small celebration among troop members and will be honored on a larger scale during the July 4 festivities. Troop members will serve as the Grand Marshall's for the annual parade and display the various memorabilia, artifacts and other historical items they have collected over the past few years for this occasion.

"It's certainly an honor to have been around for 100 years," Scoutmaster Michael Sharples said. "I don't think when the troop was started that anyone anticipated we'd be around as long as we have. To me personally, it means a lot to the testament to the quality and pride of Troop 36."

The Oradell Troop was first known as Troop One of Oradell in 1911 when it was founded by Charles Livingston Bull. It is considered the second oldest continually operating troop in the United States and is one of the largest and most decorated troops in New Jersey. Troop One later became Troop 36 when the local American Legion became its sponsor.  In 1925, Mr. Robert Gilchrist and Mr. Robert Richardson were the first Scouts in Troop 36 to achieve the rank of Eagle. As of January 2011, Troop 36 has a total of 154 Eagle Scouts and counting. 

While the Troop is proud of its 100-year long history, they are just as proud of one of its former members - astronaut Walter "Wally" Schirra. Schirra was one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts and was the only astronaut to fly in the first three manned space missions — on Mercury 8, Gemini 6A, and Apollo 7.

The United States Navy christened a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo/munitions ship in his honor and over the summer, several members of Troop 36 drove down to  U.S. Naval Base in Norfolk, Va. for a flag exchange with the crew.

The USNS Wally Schirra is the only active duty Naval vessel that flies a Boy Scout troop flag. And when the ship returns after a two-year tour of duty, Troop 36 hopes to return to Norfolk to meet the crew once again.

"This group of boys are really terrific," Sharples said. "They all bring different things to the table, and I know its cliche to say they are special in their own way, but they really are. I couldn't be more proud of anyone of them. They are dedicated not only to Boy Scouts but also to Troop 36. There sense of pride is second to none. I think we've had an outstanding 100 years and I expect Troop 36 to still be strong, vibrant and serving the Oradell community 100 years from now.

For a look at the birthday celebration, check out our photo gallery.

Along with celebrating their 100th anniversary, 2011 will be a busy year for the troop as members travel to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado for a camping trip, a ski trip to Belleayre, walk the Monmouth Battlefield trail, take part in the Six Flags Great Adventure Camporee, head to Disney World for their 100th Anniversary in June, honor eight new Eagle Scouts during an upcoming Court of Honor and welcome the upcoming group of Webelos who will cross over into the Troop.