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Eagle Scout recognized for 75 years of service

Since joining Troop 50 Boy Scouts in 1942 at 11 years old, Anthony “Tony” DiSalvo has been recognized for his 75 years of service to the national organization, he said. DiSalvo became an Eagle Scout in 1945 and went on to serve as scoutmaster for 25 years, inducting 31 Eagle Scouts through Troop 50.

In 1942, DiSalvo started scouting with Troop 50 at the Mater Dolorosa Parish, according to his Boy Scout resume. He was the first Scout in Troop 50 to earn the ranking of Eagle Scout.

When DiSalvo joined the organization, it focused heavily on the outdoors and survival, he said. Boy Scouts of America taught the young members how to be good people that grew to become good adults. Unfortunately, Troop 50 is no longer an active troop and DiSalvo was one of the last scoutmasters.

DiSalvo attended his first Jamboree before joining Boy Scouts in 1937 at 8 years old, according to his attendance list. He has been to 18 Boy Scout Jamboree’s, the most recorded for any Boy Scout. He has been to Jamboree’s serving as an assistant scoutmaster, scout master, sub-commissioner for region and much more.

DiSalvo hopes to attend the World Jamboree in Virginia. Jamborees are held every 4 years. DiSalvo’s favorite thing was getting to see the people he normally doesn’t, such as other troops, he said.

In 1973, DiSalvo joined the National Eagle Scout Association and helped start the Susquehanna Council’s Bald Eagle Chapter of the N.E.S.A., said his Boy Scout resume The following year he became vice president for Scouting under the Susquehanna Council and helped fundraise as a chairman, raising $3,500.

In 1982, he received the highest distinguished award from the National BSA, the Distinguished Eagle Award for being and Eagle Scout for 25 years, said his Boy Scout resume. He also received a certificate for his work in Catholic scouting to the community which was blessed by Pope John II.

One of DiSalvo’s favorite things was “keep the kids straight,” he said. He enjoyed reassuring the values of BSA and helping troubled kids.

Some of the 31 Eagle Scouts that DiSalvo oversaw donated to the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania of Pennsylvania in his name and DiSalvo now has a Flag Foundation in his name, he said. He got to put the flag up that flies at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Two of the Eagle Scouts that went through Troop 50 were DiSalvo’s sons, Timothy M. DiSalvo and Anthony L. DiSalvo III, and his wife, Kathleen, served as a den mother for four years, he said.

Some awards that DiSalvo has received are the Silver Beaver, St. George Award, Vigil Honor, Scouter’s Key, Scouter’s Award, Wood Badge, Silver Antelope Award and 40 years of service, according to his Boy Scout Resume. DiSalvo has an award and memorabilia wall dedicated to his time as a scout.

“Stick it out and don’t just be a Boy Scout leader for a short amount of time, you can grow with it,” DiSalvo said. “I made 31 Eagle Scouts out of there and that impressed me more than anything.”

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