Veterans of Foreign Wars in Elizabethton honor member of local Boy Scout Troop
Published 4:35 pm Thursday, February 24, 2022
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Star Photo/Nic Miller Boy Scout Troop 516 Eagle Scout Kaleb Pollitt (middle) accepts his award from VFW Post 2166 Commander Andy Wetzel (left) while also being recognized by Scoutmaster Ricki Dykes (right).
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BY NIC MILLER
STAR STAFF
nic.miller@elizabethton.com
Kaleb Pollitt’s commitment to Boy Scouts and leadership qualities earned him the Boy Scout of the Year Award from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2166.
The award was presented Tuesday to Pollitt, who is a member of Boy Scout Troop 516. The Eagle Scout was honored in front of his peers and post members.
“Kaleb has been an example of the Scout Oath and Law, not only in Troop 516 but in all aspects of life. He is the most dedicated patrol leader I have ever had; he leads by example and is very deserving of this award,” said Ricki Dykes, Scoutmaster.
Pollitt was humbled. “When I moved to the area, I had just started a new school, so I joined the Scouts as a way to become involved. I just hopped into it and was able to meet a lot of good people along the way.
“Honestly, the main excitement of receiving this award is that I would have never thought I would have gotten something like this, especially if you would have seen me before joining the Boy Scouts. Before, I was the type of person that would not have even gotten up on stage to receive this award. (That’s) just one example of how the Scouts changed me,” Pollitt said.
VFW Post Commander Andy Wetzel said he was thrilled to present the award. “Being very involved in the community is the second leg of our mission, with serving veterans being the first. We have been very good about giving awards to the adults of the community for doing great things, but on this occasion being able to honor a young man like Kaleb who is a leader is everything we work for at the post.
“We want to see young men leading other young men, and Kaleb is a prime example of what it means to do that. We don’t get to shine the light on many young people these days, so being able to do this is an honor for us at the post.”
Pollitt will now compete against Boy Scout of the Year recipients from across the state, and if he advances, will compete nationally.
