Austin’s super Scout honored

Published 12:22 pm Friday, April 1, 2011

Burt Morlan presents Tom Day with the Super Scouter Award during the Boy Scout Celebration Fundraiser Luncheon Thursday at the Hormel Historic Home. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

With many years of service as a Boy Scout, Scout leader, volunteer and scout father, Tom Day can be considered a super scout — literally.

That’s what he was designated Thursday afternoon at the Hormel Historic Home, when he received the Boy Scouts of America’s Super Scouter award.

Tom Day greets congratulators after being named as recipient of this year's Super Scouter Award Thursday at the Boy Scout Celebration Luncheon at the Hormel Historic Home. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Day began his journey as a Cub Scout in the 1960s. He moved his way through the Boy Scout ranks and reached one of the higher statuses as a Star Scout. But when Day and his family moved to Austin in the late 1990s, he continued his service as a pack leader for Cub Scouts and then as an assistant for Boy Scouts Troop 109.

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Through the years, Day has watched his two sons, Matthew and Daniel, flourish in Boy Scouts as well. Matthew reached the highest honor of Eagle Scout, and Daniel reached the honor of Life Scout, just below that.

Nearly 50 community members, Scout leaders and volunteers came to the Boy Scouts of America’s celebration and fundraiser to honor Day, share some memories and reaffirm what it means to be a Scout.

“It’s not the idea of building a fire,” Day said. “It’s the things they learn while building a fire.”

Although Day is retired from being a Scout leader, he’s turned another chapter, like many who attended the event.

He wants to raise money, donate materials and offer support for future Boy Scouts. And he, like many of the former scouts at the celebration, will never forget what it means to be a Scout: Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Those are the words that outline the Scout Law.

Tom Day speaks during the Boy Scout Celebration Fundraiser Luncheon where he was given the Super Scouter Award Thursday at the Hormel Historic Home. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

“When you think about those 12 words, I think every mother and father wants their son to have those qualities,” Day said.

But Day doesn’t do it just for himself.

Former Scout and leader Duane Olson remembers when Day organized a trip for 16 Scouts and 14 fathers to visit Alaska.

“To line up all those kids and all those fundraisers, that is a lot of work,” he said.

Burt Morlan has some of the same memories and views of Day, too. He was pleased to personally hand the Super Scout award to Day, he remembered why they had gotten involved in Scouts from the beginning.

“Tom does not do what he does in scouting for the awards and accolades,” he said.

Of all the options and activities boys have today, Boy Scouts is still perhaps one of the most wholesome, Day said.