DAN BROOKS
Date: 2/3/08 12:21:01 PM Central Standard Time
Irwin,
... I just wanted to let you know that at a recent leaders recognition banquet, I received Cubmaster of the Year 2007.
As I accepted this award, I gave a lot of credit to my years in Troop 17 and how this troop instilled in me the scouting principles.
I now have a new passion in life and that is scouting. In a couple of years I will be retiring and I plan on spending a lot more of my time with the West Tennessee Council.
In 2 years my son will be in Boy Scouts and I want him to also become an Eagle Scout...
As a leader in Troop 17 when I was a member, I thank you for all that you and the troop taught me and how you motivated me to reach Eagle Scout.
I have many fond memories of those years in Troop 17 -- thank you.
THE BROWNS
Date: 4/1/03 2:12:58 PM Central Standard Time
Todd's hair stylist from St. Louis was in Paris on vacation and her brother who lives in England came over to meet her.
We made plans to go out with them and they came over to our apartment for drinks.
On touring our apartment, her brother spotted Logan's hat press and hat.
He immediately stopped dead and said "is that from Troop 17?"
We said yes, how ever did he know?
He said, "I was in Troop 17". His name is Dennis Trunfio."
The Browns:
(Todd, Committman; Reid, Baker, PL; Logan, Seventeener
family recently moved to Paris from St. Louis in a job move by their father.)
JIM KIKIS
Date: 12/28/01 7:33:56 PM Pacific Standard Time
... Tom gave me the Troop 17 info Christmas Day and I have spent 2 day's looking at it, and to me it was my best Christmas present. Brings back a lot of memories from the past.
It was sad to read about Verne and Tom they both were great people and inspired me through life, and Irwin you did too. I learned so much from all of you and just being part of troop 17 taught me so much. It probably took me a lot longer to realize it but I guess I was always looking for a real good time and put most of the right things a long side and planned on using them some other time. But the best part about it is I remembered them.
When I retired from the Navy after 31 years I was responsible for 18,000 people, every one in the Pacific Submarine Force, and I took care of them. The same way we would take care of a member of our troop. You guy's taught me so much.
I'm down here in Oviedo, FL. I came here to retire, but after about a year and a half, I was bored. and am working for the post office. It's a good job for an old retired fart, I don't have to talk to anyone who supervises me unless I do something wrong and the conversations are far.
At the Post Office they have asked me many times to go into supervision but I tell them NO THANK YOU.
I've had enough of that... but deep down I know why they are asking me to do that. It is because they can see leadership in a person, and in me where did I get all that -- from Troop 17 and all you guy's.
Being a member of that great organization taught me a lot. I just wish I was close by and could still be part of it. It is something I will never forget.
Hawaii... I left there at the end of 1992, but I'm going back as soon as my daughter graduates from nursing school down here. She got a FL State scholarship and we've got to hang in here.
Take Care,
Jim
BOB THEIN
Date: 12/6/00 7:36:36 AM Central Standard Time
...following Jack Baker's example, I received the Silver Beaver award
on November 22, 2000
from the Patriots Path Council here in Jew Jersey.
Before the ceremony they had each recipient video tape a brief session on
"What Scouting Means to Me".
The tapes were played during the ceremony
as each person was on stage to receive the Silver Beaver.
As part of my session I talked about my scouting experiences in Troop 17,
the positive role model that Jack Baker was to all of us, and the fact that his influence or legacy still exists
as witnessed by a visit to the Troop 17 web site and the Baker reunions.
Bob Thein
GABRIEL KINGSLEY
Date: 8/21/00 2:18:56 PM Central Standard Time
Merely by chance, I stumbled upon the Troop 17 Web site. I am
thrilled to have again found the organization that meant so much to me
over the years.
I was a member of Troop 17 in the early to mid-1950s. Verne Barnhart,
Jr. was Scout Master, and the Troop was populated by all of "The
Barnes Boys", John Shoop, Gary Swango, Irwin Albrecht, Mike Coyle,
Mike Kiernan, Marty Kessler, Johnny Honefinger, Bill Lichty, Andy
Lindquist, Ken Underwood, Bruce Swain, etc. We met at the Episcopal
Church of the Holy Communion at Jackson and Delmar in University City.
I went to Hamilton School with many of them, and later U. City High
School.
I have occasionally attempted to find some of these folks using the
Internet, but was never successful. I specifically tried to locate
Vern Barnhart, even through a friend who serves on the U. City
Council, but with no success.
Somewhere, among my treasured possessions, are my Troop 17 arm patch,
garters, bandana, braided leather bandana slide, "Baker Boys" folded
campaign hat, etc. Sadly, everything else from my days in the Troop
has evaporated. While not certain, I think I was a member of the Hawk
Patrol.
I have many memories of "the land", later named "Nawakwa" (I think he
said it meant "lost in the woods" or "cabin in the woods".) I recall
riding in the Jeep Verne bought and painted with the special crest of
the Troop. I have great memories of Camporees and Jamborees at
Beaumont Reservation, etc.
I learned to fire a rifle (Verne's Winchester .22 Cal. pump) and to
march while in Troop 17, both experiences gave me a bit of a head
start upon reporting to Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island some
years later. I knew Verne had served in the Marine Corps in WWII and
thought of him often.
Is there an "alumni" list? If so, is it available? I would very much
like to try and get in touch with some of the fellows with whom I
experienced the unique and wonderful experience of being a member of
Troop 17, which we knew to be the finest Troop in all of scouting.
Gabriel Kingsley
ROB ESKRIDGE
Date: 4/10/00 11:03:49 PM Central Standard Time
Jim Callahan gave me the URL. He was here to visit this weekend
-- his every-four-years trip to Tahoe.
I'm currently running a corporate planning center on Donner Lake, 14 miles
South of Lake Tahoe. Still backpacking, mountain biking the Sierras in the
summer, snowshoeing in the winter. Ready to host a troop backpack in the
Sierras, over Gray's Pass,or to Paradise Lake. Any takers?
Rob Eskridge
RICK BARNHART
Date: 2/11/00 10:15:35 PM Central Standard Time
I interviewed a young man last week for a sales position at Saks.
His application indicated that he was an Eagle Scout.
I asked him what troop. He told me Troop 344 (?) at Reed School in Ladue.
I told him I was an Eagle Scout in Troop 17.
He stood up, saluted, and said, "SIR, YES SIR"
It was most gratifying!!
Best Regards,
Rick Barnhart
GEORGE KOORS
Subj: Re: Baker Reunion -- December 1999
Date: 2/9/00 9:22:55 PM Central Standard Time
Thanks for the reunion e-mail / photo. It will be great having an updated look at everyone.
No matter how you feel about getting to a reunion, you're always guaranteed to have a good time seeing fellow Bakers and reminiscing on the times that made you a man.
Yes, you are deserving of a big thanks for the Troop website.
What a great job.
I've been there a few times and it does bring a good feeling of personal accomplishment and memories for me.
Always have been and always will be proud to be a Seventeener.
Like the song say's " A Bakers heart's in Seventeen till the day he dies", no other words could better express the opportunity's some of us were lucky enough to share and hold for a life time.
So enough of this sentimental b.s., it was nice to see you, even though it was just a hello & good-bye, and I look forward to the next time.
See Ya,
George Koors
BOBBY BARNES
Date: 5/17/1999 12:52:25 PM Central Daylight Time
So I take Friday afternoon off to play golf with a fraternity brother visiting from the west coast and we get paired up with another twosome.
About halfway through the round the conversation turns to jobs and where we grew up.
Having been introduced initially by first names only I was surprised to discover that "Bill" was actually Bill Nichols of Troop 17 fame.
Needless to say, we spent the rest of the round reminiscing about the Bakers and the good old days.
What a small world we live in!...
Regards,
Bobby Barnes
BILL NICHOLS
Date: 5/19/1999 7:01:03 AM Central Daylight Time
It must be a small world...
... It was a stroll down memory lane. Hearing the names Albrecht, Madison, Trovillion, Weidle, etc.. This web page is great. The photos bring back some of the fondest memories of my childhood. The Land, S Bar F, Bakers. It seems as if it was only yesterday, but it now has been some 30 years.
From the information on this page, I am proud to see that the traditions and uniqueness of Troop 17 continue... I am forever proud and honored to have been a member of Troop 17.
Bill Nichols
FLIP ALBRECHT
Date: 12/9/1999
Hello there...
I'm always looking forward to the day of a Baker reunion.
I long to see those old faces from our spirited youth as well as the new faces of 17's future leaders...
The spirit of old is never far from my heart and the songs of our ode are never forgotten.
Take care and may God Bless you and yours.
Flip
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