To the Editor:

On Feb. 8 the Boy Scouts of America will celebrate its 100-year anniversary. Perhaps no area has benefited from this fine organization more than Franklin and its surrounding communities.

Franklin’s Troop 17 was one of the first troops established in those early years. It was chartered in 1913 under the sponsorship of High Street United Methodist Church, and that partnership remains today.

In the 1950s Franklin had two Cub packs, two Boy Scout troops, one Explorer post, one Sea Scout unit with its own boat, and for a short time an Air Scout unit, one of the few in the United States.

Much of the credit for these phenomenal programs must go to the late Herbert Cobb and to the many adult leaders and volunteers he recruited and trained.

One of the first things I thought of when I heard of International Paper’s decision to close the Franklin mill was all the fine engineers, technical, and other professionals employed by Union Camp and later IP who moved to Franklin and supported the scouting movement in such a big way.

In my time in scouting there were people like Bob Lambert and John Magee. In recent years, Tom Jones, Kent Stephenson and many others fill those roles.

It is sad that dedicated professionals of this caliber who worked at the mill will no longer move to Franklin, join the scouting movement and make positive contributions to the lives of Franklin’s young people.

Many thanks to those who have served scouting in the past and to those who currently offer their time and talents. Your efforts have a major impact on the future of the area’s youth.

Robert N. Holt

Franklin , N.C.