Lehi City News
Bert Wilson Receives Scouting Award
It takes a lot of work and dedication to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. On Wednesday, November 19 eighteen men from the Utah National Parks Council will be honored for their lives of service. Each recipient has spent their adult life serving their communities in various leadership positions. Lehi Mayor Bert Wilson is one of the men who will receive the Outstanding Eagle Award.
John Peterson, District Executive of the Iron Horse District said of Wilson, “The mayor always supports Scouting activities and celebrates all of Lehi’s Eagle Scouts by recognizing the young men at the City Council meetings.”
Wilson has been an ardent supporter of Scouting since he became a Cub Scout back “when Sitting Bull was just a papoose,” as he says. He loved going on camp outs and learning new skills. One of his favorite memories is a fishing trip to Paradise Lake in the Uintas. It was the first time he had fished in a mountain lake and he loved being in the mountains. He also fondly remembers receiving his Eagle rank at a Court of Honor with two other young men, David Evans and David Talientatha. He has also been honored with the Silver Beaver Award.
Scouting has become a tradition in the Wilson family. All three of Wilson’s sons and his son-in-law are all Eagles. Two grandsons have earned their Eagle Rank- the others aren’t old enough yet, but Wilson hopes they will carry on the tradition.
Wilson speaks highly of the principles that are taught in both the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the BSA, and considers Scouting activities as opportunities for boys and young men to put those principles into practice. His participation in Scouting helped him prepare for roles of leadership in the Church and with Lehi City by affording him a broad base of experiences, determination to do the right things for the right reasons, and ability to get along with people.
Wilson speaks in glowing terms of the service Lehi City receives from young men doing their Eagle projects. “No city or organization could ever pay for the service rendered by prospective Eagle Scouts. We just don’t have the manpower or the funds to pay for the work that is done. There have been so many projects over the years that have added value to Lehi’s parks, cemetery, and schools. It really is amazing,” Wilson said.
The Celebration of Eagles will be held on November 19 at the Utah Valley University Grand Ballroom from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. Individuals and companies are invited to sponsor future or recently-award Eagle Scouts to attend this event as their guests. To purchase tickets to the event or to become a table sponsor, information is available at www.utahscouts.org/CelebrationOfEagles.
