One of the last exhibits at the NOAC Museum were the National Chief and Vice Chief bonnets. If you looked closely, and read the history, by Kawida Lodge Brother, Tim Brown, you probably learned something. Tim graciously sent me the story as follows:
“NATIONAL CHIEF & VICE CHIEF BONNETS”
(A Brief History By Tim Brown)
The original bonnets used by the National Chief and Vice Chief of the Order of the Arrow were made in 1938 for the then current Anicus Lodge #67 Lodge Chief, Joseph A. Brunton, Jr., and his fellow lodge officers. Subsequently, these bonnets were presented by Anicus Lodge #67 to the Grand Lodge of the Order of the Arrow in 1940 when they hosted the Order of the Arrow’s 25th anniversary meeting at Camp Twin Echo, located near Ligonier, PA. In 1940, the host council’s Scout Executive was also the then current National Conference Chief, Joseph A. Brunton, Jr., who would go on to become the fourth Chief Scout Executive of the B.S.A. from 1960 – 1967. The host council was originally called the East Boroughs Council, which was headquartered in Wilkinsburg, PA, but has since been absorbed into the Pittsburgh council.
Like many of the bonnets of that era, the original bonnets were made from authentic eagle feathers. Today, both Golden and Bald Eagles are considered protected species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the feathers and body parts from these species are now federally regulated. The possession or trade of these species’ feathers and body parts are protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and requires a special permit. The B.S.A. / OA were in possession of such a special permit for their original bonnets.
The original bonnets were used ceremoniously by the Order of the Arrow and its national officers for over forty years. They were used at National Planning Meetings for the swearing in of the National Chief and Vice Chief, and they were worn by the National Chief and Vice Chief at the opening and closing shows of National Order of the Arrow Conferences. Tragically, the original bonnets were destroyed in an arson fire which occurred at the national office in Texas around 1980. The fire was deliberated set by a young security guard whose intention was to be the ‘big hero’ by discovering and putting out the fire. Unfortunately, the fire quickly got out of his control into an area which housed many of the OA’s records and memorabilia, including the bonnets.
Due to the passing of federal laws against the sale, trade, or possession of eagle feathers and body parts since the original bonnets were made, the creation of replacement bonnets consisting of authentic eagle feathers would typically have been prohibited without a special federal permit for organizations other than those of Native American origin. However, after being made aware of our situation and after confirming the B.S.A.’s official documentation attesting to the fact that the original bonnets were made with eagle feathers that were obtained prior to the enactment of such regulatory laws, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service came to the aid of the B.S.A / OA. They provided replacements bonnets for the original bonnets with new ones constructed of a similar nature. Each of the two replacement bonnets were constructed using thirty-two (32) Golden Eagle feathers, tipped with owl feathers. The new bonnets were made shortly after the destruction of the original bonnets, and they were subsequently placed on permanent loan to the B.S.A. / OA by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via a special permit / loan agreement for scientific and educational purposes effective May 12, 1982. This special permit / loan agreement was signed on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America and the Order of the Arrow by the then National Secretary, William Downs. Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service required that any display of these bonnets shall be accompanied by a sign indicating that the possession and exhibition of these items were by their permission. Of special note: the National Order of the Arrow Committee attached a yellow ribbon to the bonnet of the National Vice Chief in memory of Josh Sain. Josh was serving as the National Vice Chief when he was tragically killed in an auto accident on October 24, 1997. The ribbon is a permanent reminder of his cheerful service, and his life long dedication to servant leadership.
The new replacement bonnets were once again used ceremoniously by the Order of the Arrow and its national officers until the National OA Committee developed a policy banning the use of authentic animal parts for regalia by lodges and their individual members. In keeping with this policy, the OA decided to retire the authentic Golden Eagle feather bonnets and to acquire new bonnets for the National Chief and Vice Chief which were made from imitation eagle feathers.
The authentic Golden Eagle feather bonnets were last used by the national officers at the 2004 National Order of the Arrow Conference held at Iowa State University. Subsequently, the new imitation eagle feather bonnets were first used by the National Chief and Vice Chief at the 2006 National Order of the Arrow Conference held at Michigan State University. These imitation eagle feather bonnets are still in use today.
The authentic Golden Eagle feather bonnets that were provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a replacement for the original bonnets are still on permanent loan to the B.S.A. / OA. These bonnets are placed on permanent display at the National Scouting Museum in Irving, Texas, but with special permission, they have been loaned to the 2009 NOAC Museum and are on display here for you to see.
Information for this article was provided by:
Ken Davis, Don Thom, Joe Rivera, Craig Leighty, Ian Romaine, and Clyde Mayer
