By Robert Beatty

Special to the Dayton Chronicle

Fifty years ago and then there is today.

As I looked over the Dayton Chronicle, I always enjoy reading what happened years ago. It was a bit of a surprise when I saw my name listed there for my Eagle project some 50 years ago on 19 November 1970.

But here is the front story. Fifty years later almost to the day, myself, Robert Beatty, (son of Harold and Esther) and my wife Alicia, have a son, Benny, who is about to complete his Life Scout rank. Benny has met all the requirements for Life Scout and is only waiting to complete his six months as a Star Scout to advance.

At the age of 12, Benny has completed 47 of the 137 available merit badges. He has completed all 13 of his Eagle required merit badges. He has served in his troop, No. 711 located in Maple Valley, Wash., as a Patrol Leader, Den Chief, Chaplain Aide, and as an Outdoor Ethics trainer.

I have served as an Adult leader for Troop 711, and I am currently the Scout Master of Troop 711. My dad, Harold, served as a Cub Master for Pack 332 and as an Adult Leader for Troop 332, both in Dayton in the 1960s and 1970s.

My dad and I received the "Father and Son" Scouting award for our work in Scouting in 1969. That same year I attended the BSA National Jamboree in Farragut, Id., with Troop 21. Benny would have been attending the National Jamboree in 2021 but because of COVID it has been postponed.

Benny is currently developing his planned Eagle project. That project will connect two concrete sidewalks with a new concrete walk way. This will improve pedestrian and handicapped passage through the property at Saint John the Baptist church, located in Covington, Wash.

So that was then and this is now.