Our History
Troop 73 was chartered October 12, 1936 to the Holy Name Society of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Westfield, New Jersey.
William J. Ford was appointed Scoutmaster. The Committee Chairman was Joseph A. Cogbill.
Other members of the Committee were: F. L. Aires, E. S. Johnson, John S. McLaughlin, and William Pfaff.
Scouts that were founding members were: Nicholas Angelo, Joseph L. Barrett, Walter Barrett, Louis M. Block, John Driscoll, Simon Klosky, and John Ortlieb.
Troop 73 was established in 1936 to meet the needs of local boys and provide them with the experiences of scouting – fellowship, service, and outdoor adventures. The Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity has been chartered to the troop since its inception and has always been a strong supporter of scouting. Over the years, troop membership has ranged from 20 to more than 100 scouts. The troop has focused on training the boys as the leaders of the troop with trained adult leadership as guides; this helps the boys gain confidence and develop skills that can be used in all aspects of life even when they graduate from the troop at age 18
The troop’s first Eagle Scout was James Harrington, who reached the top rank in 1948. In September 1952 said Troop 73 had 42 scouts, according to the Westfield Leader at the time. That was about an average membership through the 1950’s-1990’s.
In the early years, Scouts camped locally in Westfield and New Jersey and local newspapers published a Scout Report section in each edition to summarize the local troop activities, meetings, and advancements. Troop 73 always has offered a strong high adventure program, including backpacking trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmarron, New Mexico, considered the pinnacle of scouting. In addition, the troop has traveled to Canada, Maine and the Adirondacks for high adventure canoe treks often canoeing and portaging more than 100 miles in a 10 day wilderness experience.
A highlight of troop history was when a two week canoe trek down the upper Delaware River was featured in the August 2002 issue of Boys Life magazine. The troop sponsors an annual canoe race on the Delaware River in honor of Ed Jeuther, one of the troop’s beloved scoutmasters who served from 1943-1949. The winner of the multi-troop competition is awarded the “Jeuther Cup” which it keeps for a year as a sign of its canoeing prowess.
Troop 73 also has traveled to Ireland on several occasions to camp at a local scout camp and to visit and share scouting experiences with local scout troops. The closing campfire brings all troop members from both countries together to share their customs, songs and stories. Neckerchiefs and patches are exchanged during the visit. These are memorable trips for the scouts as they realize the international reach of boy scouting.
Troop 73 is an active community service group and supports Scouting for Food each year at the Holy Trinity Food pantry. The troop volunteers at the Fanwood Recycling Center and uses the proceeds to support families in need during the Christmas holidays. Scouts also help support other charitable causes by volunteering for events in the community throughout the year.
Boy Scout Troop 73 celebrated its Diamond Anniversary with a dinner at the Westwood in Garwood on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011. In celebration of 75 years of scouting as Troop 73, former scouts, scoutmasters and other leaders and friends of Troop 73 participated and shared memories and stories of their Troop 73 days on November 25, 2011. They reconnected with past leaders and scouts and celebrate the accomplishments of the past 75 years. The troop looks forward to another 75 years of scouting fun.
More than 25 scoutmasters have led the troop during its 75 years. The troop prides itself on dedicated, trained and experienced adult leaders who stay active with the troop for years after their sons graduate from scouting. Ongoing new leadership keeps the troop fresh with new ideas and is a basic strength of Troop 73 throughout its 75 years.
Troop 73 is proud of the many scouts and adult leaders who have be recognized for their achievements and service over the many years of our history
Troop 73 Patch
The Troop 73 logo was designed by the scouts and leaders of the troop in the mid-1970’s. They wanted to create a unique logo that would represent the scouting program and in particular the patrol method. The result was a geometric design in red, blue and yellow.
The following is an explanation of the logo.
- In the center, the interlocking rings represent a handclasp at the wrist, the strongest type of handclasp, very difficult to break.
- It reminds scouts of the bonds of friendship and fellowship they develop in scouting, very difficult to break.
- The two triangles to the left and right of the rings represent two scouts standing back to back, looking out for each other, just like members of their patrol.
- The large red diamond represents the whole patrol surrounding the patrol members, keeping them all together.
- The surrounding yellow field represents the sun. It reminds us of the outdoors of the scouting program.
- The outer blue ring has the words Troop 73 and Westfield N.J. This represents the troop, encompassing all the patrols.It also reminds us that the troop is a part of the community.