Home > Districts > Iron Horse > Programs / Leaders > Silver Beaver > Virgil Anderson
Print Page :: Bookmark Page

Virgil Anderson

2005 Silver Beaver Recipient

 

 

SILVER BEAVER CEREMONY

VIRGIL ANDERSON,

escorted by 1999 Silver Beaver Glen Forister.

One of my most memorable moments started on a beautiful Friday morning in 1983, with the weatherman forecasting a storm heading our way. The Troop planned a campout at Beal’s Point, Folsom Lake. The parents were concerned about the boys getting wet, but we assured them that Scouts know how to stay dry. 

We established HQ next to a 10 foot high boulder with a flat side, and the Scouts formed a shelter with tarps on top and other 3 sides. About 9 o’clock it started sprinkling, everyone went to bed, and the night of fierce rain and wind began.  When the Scouts woke up, everything except the corner of 1 sleeping bag was dry.  The Scouts were in the middle of making breakfast (under the protection of the shelter) when the first of many parents showed up.  We were warm and dry, expected to stay that way in our cozy shelter, and went on to work on advancement.  The wind and the rain never did let up. The rangers informed us of a 2 flag warning on the lake and 3 inches of rainfall in less than 24 hours. 

On Sunday morning, after packing up our gear, the Scouts explored the buildings at the new picnic area on the point, and found a couple of young men hunkered down trying to survive in a restroom.  As the men warmed up at camp with hot chocolate and oatmeal by the fire, their tale unfolded.  They were on military leave from a Bay area port and had heard that Folsom Lake was a good place to pick up girls.  They decided to come up for the weekend, but didn’t check the weather before they left base and got caught off guard. They could only find shelter in the restroom but were freezing after 2 days and nights.  We gave them a ride to the Greyhound bus station so they could get back to base. 

This became known as the day the Scouts of Troop 121 saved the Marines!

Ladies and Gentlemen: Silver Beaver Virgil Anderson