Boy Scout Troop 75 Celebrates 100 Years

Cranford's Boy Scout Troop 75 recently celebrated its first 100 years as a youth organization.

More than 200 current and former scouts, scout leaders, and family members attended the gala event on January 9 at the Gran Centurions in Clark.

Assistant Scoutmaster Gary Ruppel recognized the Troop's 45 Eagle Scouts in attendance, presenting a commemorative eagle token inscribed with the scout's name and the year of his advancement to scouting's highest rank.  

Since its founding in 1910, Troop 75 has produced 96 Eagle Scouts.

Also recognized were the troop's current scoutmaster, Joe Duffy, and eight former scoutmasters in attendance.

The event honored Scoutmaster Gary Soney, who passed away in 2000, with a tribute written by his daughter Samantha and read by Scoutmaster Dominic Esolda. Special commemorative tokens were presented to the two most senior scoutmasters, Richard "Dick" LeDuc (1954-55) and Clarence "Skip" Shupp (1968-71).   

Union County Freeholder Betty Jane Kowalski offered her congratulations to the gathering, and Assemblyman Jon Bramnick presented a commemorative citation on behalf of the State of New Jersey in recognition that Troop 75 has "consistently benefited, contributed and enriched the citizens of the Town of Cranford, the County of Union and the State of New Jersey."  

In addition to dinner, dancing, tables of memorabilia, and scouting skits, a highlight of the evening was a special commemorative video created by Star Scout Kean MacLelland capturing the spirit of scouting at Troop 75 over the past 100 years.  

Eagle Scout Ryan Ruppel presided as the evening's master of ceremonies.

Troop 75 meets Thursday evening at Cranford United Methodist. For more information about Troop 75 and its schedule of events, visit www.mytroop75.org.