Edition 21 Volume 2

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Chiefly Speaking…

Hello fellow Arrowmen. My name is Jacob Turner and it is an honor to serve as the 2021 Echeconnee Lodge Chief and to share a little about myself and my desires for our Lodge. I live on a small row crop and cattle farm in Peach County with my parents, three sisters, and grandfather. My scouting adventure began 11 years ago at the age of six when I joined Pack 59 as a Tiger Cub. As a Webelo Scout, I earned my Arrow of Light and bridged to Troop 59. I transferred to Troop 620 where I served as Quartermaster, Assistant Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader. This past June I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. I was inducted into the Order of the Arrow Spring 2017 where I have served as Treasurer and Clan Chief. I was surprised to be awarded Vigil Honor this past September.

Through Scouting and the Order of the Arrow, I have had the opportunity to grow my leadership and communication skills and enjoy events such as National Jamboree, World Jamboree, NOAC, and NLS. I know this past year was tough for many of us as life events, activities, jobs, and opportunities were put on hold or canceled all together due to COVID-19. We saw Conclave canceled followed by NOAC and National Jamboree. Thankfully, we are starting to see our way back to gathering as a Lodge in person. The LEC and I realize we will have to work hard this year to draw Arrowmen back to active participation in Lodge and Section events. As Lodge Chief, I desire to see more Scouts inducted into and realizing the benefits of OA through our lodge. I desire to see these new Arrowmen active and enjoying what our lodge and the OA have to offer. I want to encourage non-active Arrowmen to become more involved and to find that niche that helps them grow and to give back to Scouting. The LEC and I have been planning great opportunities for our Lodge in the hopes of encouraging more active participation. Chapter Chiefs are working to hold more Troop and Crew elections. Clan Chiefs will be working to improve induction weekends and follow-up communication with new Arrowmen to keep them engaged, encouraged, and involved. Several fellowship and high adventure activities are being planned throughout the year. Camp Benjamin Hawkins workdays are being planned to help continue camp improvements in preparation for the 2022 Indian Winter and 2022 Conclave, which our Lodge will be hosting. As the LEC and I work to realize our goal of induction and membership improvement, we value your participation and support. I thank you for the opportunity to serve as Lodge Chief. I promise to do my very best, working alongside the LEC, to help our Lodge grow in active participation.

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Straight from our Witatehimoisin (Adviser) Arrowmen, We are off to a great start during 2021. Despite the challenges we face with COVID-19, we had a fantastic banquet at CBH on February 27. Our speaker was Former GBI Director Vernon Keenan. Anyone who was unable to be there missed his tales about his own days as a Scout. We all shared an excellent meal and fellowship with families and other Arrowmen. This year we recognized Mr. Bill Hall and Ben L as the recipients of the Founder’s Award. We also recognized Jacob Turner and Tyler Watson as new Vigil members of the Lou Napolitano 2020 Vigil Class. Mr. Craig Rotter received the James E. West Fellowship.

This past weekend we help our first Induction weekend of 2021. It was well attended and we completed several significant projects. The Dining Hall now has new siding on the front side. Several trees have been removed to ensure everyone is safe. The camp looks great thanks to the hard work by many.

Conclave is right around the corner and plans are being made for Echeconnee to show the other lodges that we are there to compete and have fun. Do not miss this event. It will be an opportunity to meet and fellowship with Scouts from lodges from and Alabama. Information is included in this Deerpath on how to register. Transportation will be arranged with Lodge adult leadership to ensure all who register has a means to get there.

We have another workday on April 24. It will be a day for fun too because we will be hosting the Spring Camporee campfire as a well as a call-out. The workday is not be like an Induction weekend in case any new members are concerned. OA service is vital to the operations of camp and we are needed. We are also preparing to host Indian Winter and Conclave at CBH next year. We want to make the experience an excellent one for the other Lodges.

We continue to be challenged by COVID-19 and strive to do everything we can to mitigate the possibility of anyone becoming sick as a result of attending Lodge activities. Know that at any event you attend, we all will have to think not only of ourselves but our brothers; our admonition should direct your behavior. We all must have a simple temperature check when we arrive and each morning during weekend events, wear our masks, wash our hands, and practice social distancing. There continues be some changes during ceremonies, meals, showers, sleep accommodations, as well as during service projects.

WWW, Sheila Sweat Echeconnee Lodge Adviser

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Echeconnee Lodge Web Notes By Brad Triplett, Webmaster Adviser

The Echeconnee Lodge has had a web presence that has spanned several decades. From the first web page in the mid-1990s to the current web page (echeconnee.org) and the Lodge’s Online Trading Post (echeconnee.myvolusion.com).

How can you get the most out of the Lodge’s Website?

There is a Deerpath Archive that is in the process of being rebuilt. Check through your Scouting files, you might have some hidden gems that will help us build a living archive of the Lodge’s past. Scan and e-mail any old Deerpaths you have to [email protected].

Photos - Are you at an event and taking pictures? Send them to the Webmaster ([email protected]) and they might end up in a photo gallery on the website or on Facebook.

Do you have a difficult time filtering your personal and Scouting email? We can help. The Lodge has email service available. For a small annual fee you can get a Forwarding E-mail address ([email protected]) or for a bit more you can get a Webmail Account.

Check out the Lodge’s Web Site and Online Trading Post, register for events, pay your dues, and get an e-mail address and more!!

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Spring Induction Newly Inducted Echeconnee Members The following 26 Arrowmen accepted the four challenges of the Ordeal and were inducted as members of the Order of the Arrow on March 6, 2021: Ocmulgee Chapter: Oconee Chapter: Robert L. Scott Chapter: Brett B Joshua C Kevin Brown Jack D David Jones Christian C Chad Fletcher Hunter J Brady D Gabriel F Stephen M Chris Delcourt Liam G Lara Plocha Donovan F Ricky H Tyler K Heath L Pine Forest Chapter: Justin M Stephen L Joey N Erin M Jacob M Michael Murphy James S Nathan Y

Brothers, we welcome you to Echeconnee Lodge and encourage you to participate in the Lodge activities. Upcoming events include 2021 SR-9 Conclave, and April 24 CBH Workday. We hope to see you at these events! We also encourage you to return in September 2021 to seal your membership as a Brotherhood member if you have not done so already. Thank you to all the Elangomats Denny Sweat, Joshua Hanes, Steve Aude, Eithan F, Wyatt G and JT S who helped with guiding the candidates through their Induction process, as well as, Beau H and Robert A as Head Clan Chiefs, Michael Grace as their Adviser, Lou Lilley as the 1st VC Adviser for his planning and guidance, Danica R for her 1st VC leadership throughout the Induction weekend.

Brotherhood Conversion The following 20 members accepted the Brotherhood Challenge and completed the requirements for Brotherhood Conversion on February 29, 2020, August 15, 2020, and September 19, 2020: Ocmulgee Chapter: Oconee Chapter: Robert L. Scott Chapter: Zachary D Adam P Nicholas M Sushrith P

Congratulations to all Arrowmen who met the Brotherhood Challenge and sealed their membership in the Order of the Arrow. We offer the same opportunity to all eligible Ordeal members. If you have been an Ordeal member for at least six months and accept the challenge, you too may seal your membership during the Fall Fellowship weekend. Thank you to our Brotherhood Trail Guide Jonah O.

As always the food has been outstanding during the Induction weekend. Thank you Grier Sowell for leading the Cookteam to ensure that all who attended were well fed as well as safe during the pandemic. Members of the Induction Cook Team included David Lee, Grier Sowell, Debbie Sowell, Andy Walton, Vicky Walton and Tyler Watson. Thank you all for your hard work and long hours. Also, thanks goes out to Don Ellis for serving as our Health Officer and conducting the many health screens throughout the weekend!

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April 16-18 Camp Patten Lakeland, Georgia Register at www.SR-9.org $42 until March 31 Transportation will be arranged by Echeconnee leadership for those going to travel together. Don't miss this exciting event, Great food, fun activities and competitions, and fellowship with Arrowmen from our Section's 11 Lodges.

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Conclave

By Colin O Hello brothers on April 15 - 17 our section, SR-9, will be hosting the Conclave down at Camp Patten. Conclave is the annual gathering of all the OA lodges in our Section. The event is a combination of training, fun, and fellowship. There are many fun competitive events that you can compete in throughout the day that you can win awards such as the sports in the afternoon and the Tallypo festival in the evening where all the Lodges put on a fun filled festival at the end of the day. There is also a wide variety of training and learning events that cater to a wide variety of interests and specialties. However the best part of the event is the fellowship that you have with your fellow Arrowmen over the weekend. I hope to see you there.

OA Workdays By Danica R

In the OA we have certain days in the year in which we designate as workdays. Workdays allow Arrowmen to come to the Lodge’s home campgrounds and complete service projects for the better of the camp. An Arrowmen can earn lodge flaps for the amount of service hours they have within the lodge. Workdays are a great opportunity for Arrowmen to get together with one and another to have fun and also be productive. In Echeconnee, our campground is Camp Benjamin Hawkins located in Byron, Georgia. The reason we have OA workdays is to clean up and give future camp residents a better experience.

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Echeconnee Service Flaps

Echeconnee has three service flaps that you all can earn by providing service at CBH between February 2020 and the 2022 SR-9 Conclave that we will be the Host Lodge in April 2022. The green border is earned for 25 hours of service, the silver border for 50 hours, and the gold border for 75 hours. All you have to do is come out to a scheduled work day or induction weekend and help with the projects we are doing. As a whole we have provided 3721 service hours completed by 121 Arrowmen at CBH this year. There are many more opportunities this year to earn service hours. Watch for notices in your email regarding the service days and the Fall Induction weekend and come out to join us. We also have fun activities scheduled on the service days; it’s not all work.

If you have not at least earned at least one of the service flaps, why not?

Arrowmen who have earned a 25 hour service flap are: Robert A, Joe Barroso, Havis Bonner, Nicholas C, Scott Giffin, Michael Grace, Rick Guffey, Wyatt G x2, Beau H, Bill Jones x4, Amanda Lilley, Anna Lilley, Ben L, Lou Lilley x2, Jonah O, Hank Personius x4, Danica R, Craig Rotter x3, Steve Skinner, Andrew S, Logan S, Michael S, Eric Song, Grier Sowell, John Stokes, JT S x2, Denny Sweat x3, Robert Sweat, Sheila Sweat x2, Ryan Thorne, Jake T, Tammy Witsch, and Austin Y.

Arrowmen who have earned a 50 hour service flap are: Joe Barroso, Nicholas C, Michael Grace, Rick Guffey, Wyatt G x2, Bill Jones x4, Ben L, Lou Lilley x2, Hank Personius x4, Danica R, Craig Rotter x2, Andrew S, John Stokes, JT S x2, Denny Sweat x2, Robert Sweat, Sheila Sweat, Ryan Thorne, and Austin Y.

Arrowmen who have earned a 75 hour service flap are: Rick Guffey, Wyatt G x2, Bill Jones x4, Lou Lilley, Hank Personius x4, Craig Rotter x2, Andrew S, John Stokes, JT S, Denny Sweat x2, Robert Sweat, and Sheila Sweat. 8

Sonny Carter – Echeconnee’s By Michael Grace The 2021 SR-9 Conclave (April 16-18) will include a space themed Tailypo booth designed and run by Arrowmen of the Echeconnee Lodge. The Lodge has a special connection to space and NASA through one of its famous members, astronaut Manley Lanier “Sonny” Carter, whose proud membership in the Central Georgia Council and Echeconnee Lodge preceded an illustrious and exciting career that spanned professional sports, medicine, military service, aviation and space flight. Through all of this, Carter’s love for the Echeconnee Lodge and what it represents never waned.

Sonny Carter was born in Macon on August 15, 1947 and was a Scout in Troop 19 (Macon) where he earned his Eagle rank and joined the Echeconnee Lodge, ultimately serving as Lodge Chief in 1965. After graduating from Lanier High School, Carter attended where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry while playing multiple sports and becoming MVP of Emory’s soccer team. Carter remained at Emory to earn a Doctor of Medicine degree, and while studying for his MD degree he played professional soccer as a member of the Chiefs.

Following medical school and an internship in internal medicine, Carter joined the US Navy as a in the 1st and 3rd aircraft wings. Always looking for the next challenge, Carter studied flight training and ultimately became a Naval Aviator serving the USS Forrestal. He later flew F4 Phantom fighter jets, and then attended both the US Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and the US Naval Test Pilot School.

All of this training ultimately led to Carter’s selection as an astronaut, and his service as a NASA . In 1989 he launched into Earth orbit aboard the Discovery as part of a 5-member STS-33 crew carrying a classified Department of Defense payload (today Discovery can be seen on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC). Carter and his crewmates launched from , , made 79 orbits of the Earth over 5 days, and then landed at , . Carter was selected to serve on another space shuttle mission, STS-42 (the shuttle Discovery), but died in April, 1991, in an airplane crash in Brunswick, GA, nine months before Discovery lifted off. Married with two teenage daughters, Carter was flying in service to NASA at the time of the fatal plane crash.

Throughout his education and dedicated service, Sonny Carter embodied the spirit of Scout and Arrowman, and he always remained dedicated to the Echeconnee Lodge. The mid-1960s were an important period of activity in the Lodge and Carter was at the center of those activities. In 1964, he and Lodge Chief David Vaughan designed the first, beautiful and iconic Echeconnee Lodge jacket patch. In 1965, Carter was elected Lodge Chief and was selected for the Vigil honor, bestowed at the Area 6-C Conclave at Camp Linwood Hayne in Augusta, GA. Carter was given the name Achpamsin which means “hiker”. That same year, he and David Vaughan traveled by train with 4 other Echeconnee Arrowmen to Indiana University where they attended the 50th Anniversary National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC). Twenty-five years later in 1990, Carter returned to 9

Sonny Carter – Echeconnee’s Astronaut -Continued

NOAC at the height of his career, the year following his STS-33 space shuttle mission. According to Larry Mobley’s Echeconnee Lodge history, while at the 1990 NOAC, Sonny Carter ran into his friend David Vaughan for the first time in decades and, ever proud of his Echeconnee history, exclaimed “There’s my Lodge Chief!”

Sonny Carter, Achpamsin, never stopped hiking. From Central Georgia Council to Emory University to fighter pilot – and ultimately to space – Sonny Carter lived life to the fullest. His honors and awards are numerous, including Meritorious Service Medals from the US Navy and from NASA, and NASA’s Space Flight Medal. Carter was inducted into Emory University’s Athletic Hall of Fame and the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. His name was the first to be added to the at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. He is the namesake of NASA’s Sonny Carter Training Facility near the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, and also the Sonny Carter Elementary School in Macon. He is also the namesake of the Sonny Carter Memorial Award, given annually by the Society of US Naval Flight Surgeons (SUSNFS) for “the most significant contribution towards promoting communication and teamwork among the aeromedical communities”. The SUSNFS describes Carter as “a legend in aerospace medicine” and “respected for his technical abilities, energy and dedication”.

Sonny Carter lived large. He embodied the Scout Oat and Law, and carried the spirit of the Order of the Arrow through everything he did. His legacy is enduring, and he is an inspirational example of how we all can live with passion and purpose in service to others.

Echeconnee Lodge member Michael Grace also earned a doctorate from Emory University, and supported NASA, the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on scientific missions aboard space shuttle missions STS-107 and STS-114.

Image courtesy of NASA

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