TOP PHOTO:  Boy Scout Troup 310 marks its fifth year in October 2020.

Left to right:  Crystal Thacker, Troop Committee Vice-Chair, Boy Scout Stewart Thacker proudly displays his National Certificate of Merit, Scoutmaster Chris Thacker and David Williams, Chief Scout Executive of the Great Smoky Mountain Council.

By Lindsey Hutson

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Tuesday night was Boy Scout Troop 310’s Court of Honor at Cedar Hill Baptist Church.  This month marks Troop 310’s fifth year as a troop, and it started Oct. 1, 2015, when Troop Master Chris Thacker’s son decided he wanted to be in the Boy Scouts.  Five years years later, Thacker’s son Stewart was honored.

Stewart Thacker earned the National Certificate of Merit (above), a rare occurrence, especially at 16 -years- old.  This award is for a significant act of service.  In 2018, hurricane Florence hit North Carolina.  Thacker immediately started coming up with ideas on how to help.  The first thought was food and water, but due to storage concerns that idea was passed over.  Thacker then came up with the idea of school supplies.  After taking up donations, Thacker, along with others, drove to Surf City, NC.  Thacker witnessed the damage first hand as well as experience the beach for the first time.

Left to right – David Williams, Chief Scout Executive of the Great Smoky Mountain Council, Honoree Scout Stewart Thacker,  Troop 310 Senior Patrol Leader Elijah Lamb and Eagle Scout Logan Hickman, Great Smoky Mountain Council Vice-President.

The troop’s motto is “We do things.”  Obviously that motto made an impact on Stewart.  He received not only the Merit Certificate but also an award from Michael Jordan for his actions.  Stewart states he “could not do it without Troop 310.”

Along with this award, Thacker earned four more merit badges and presented others with their ranks.  Even during the ceremony, Thacker was an outstanding young man.  An American Flag fell and Thacker was quick to jump into action and get the flag off the floor and properly folded it with the help of Elijah Lamb.    (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/07/2020-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)

One Reply to “Thacker earns National Certificate of Merit”

  1. We are very proud of Stewart and all of Troop 310. They have exceptional leaders who continually impact their lives positively and professionally weekly. So thankful for them.

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