After months of planning, Boy Scout Troop 33 of Walden had a very successful and memorable 100-year celebration with Walden’s First Reformed Church this past Saturday in the Anita L. Vandermark Center.

Past and current Scout Masters, troop members, Eagle Scouts, former Cub Scouts, local and state-wide officials, family, church members and locals gathered to celebrate the troop and church reaching 100 years together. Troop 33 has been operating out of the church’s basement since their establishment in 1923. The church has been their charter since, providing them with a place to meet and other necessities.

Former Scoutmaster Dan Zica emceed the event, making it known how rare it was to be a 100-year standing organization.

“There aren’t many organizations that make it to 100 years. Just to give you a sense of how long that is, our unit is older than Chrysler, NBC, United Airlines, AMC and Marvel Comics just to name a few,” said Zica.

The event began with a formal ceremony, which included speeches and words from current Scout Master, Gabriel Gonzalez, and some keynote speakers, including elected officials, Walden’s Historian Mel Wesenberg, Troop 33 Eagle Scouts Mark and Keith Millspaugh and former Scout Masters Conrad Flickenschild and Russ Rihl.

Gonzalez, having been born in Brooklyn but later moving to Walden, spoke adamantly about the troop.

“My son was a troop leader for a little bit and he loves it. I love it. I’ve learned a lot of stuff from all these gentlemen and these kids. I have my story: put me in the woods 10 years ago and I would have been dead. Put me in the woods now, I’m going to survive,” said Gonzalez.

Other speakers included NYS Assemblyman Brian Maher, a former Scout, NYS Senator Rob Rolinson, Orange County Legislator Mike Anagnostakis, and Walden Mayor John Ramos.

Ramos gave Troop 33 a proclamation for their years of service. “This is my first proclamation since I’ve been in office,” Ramos stated. “Survival is teamwork. And without everybody around us, we wouldn’t be able to survive. I applaud you for everything that you’ve done,” he continued.
Anagnostakis invited all the Scouts up during his speech.

“As elected officials, we often get people that will tell me, Michael, thank you for your service, and although the words are appreciated, I think they’re a little misguided. I ran for office. I got elected. Key to the job. You guys and gals are the ones that should be thanked for your public service. You do it on a volunteer basis [and] you don’t get paid for it. You devote your time and energy away from your family towards the truth,” said Anagnostakis.

There was also a presentation with plaques given to former Scout Masters. The masters receiving the plaques were Walter Zychowicz, Flickenschild, Rihl, Pete Cocks, Zica, Harold Bruggemann and Gabriel Gonzalez.

Some former scout masters told stories about their times in Boy Scouts which earned laughs from those in the audience. There was also some history given on the troop itself.

The formal part of the event took place for about two hours. After, guests were invited to go to the food truck or enjoy live music at the pavilion. They also had the chance to look at some old videos and other Boy Scout Troop 33 memorabilia.

Troop 33 currently has around 12 active members from ages 11 to 17 and meets every Monday at 7 p.m.

It seems like everyone, including Troop 33, is hoping they reach another 100 years.