Eagle Scout, Venturing Silver, Sea Scout Quartermaster, Silver Hornaday, O.A. Southern Region Chief, just to name a few.
Let me tell you why and how.
It started a long, long time ago. Don Combs (the 1st) and his wife Alcie decided that Scouting was a good thing. Alcie started Cub Scout Pack 12, here in Pikeville in 1969. She told me that she chose the number 12, because that was the number of boys that were there that night for sign ups. Pack 12 is still going strong and will have 41 years of continuous rechartering this year!
Don (the 1st) would take Don II, and brothers, Steve and Bobby to every Troop 10 meeting. That was way back in the 70’s when legendary Scoutmaster H.L. Rogers was the man and all new Scouts went through the "Belt Line". Don II had perfect attendance for 7 years straight! All 3 brothers received their Eagle Scout.
I asked Grandmother Alcie at Don III’s Eagle Ceremony how in the world she got all 3 of those boys to Eagle. She dropped her head, looked me straight in the eyes, and firmly told me that "Scouting was not an option. It was required."
Through the years even more service was given and recognized. Don (the 1st) received the Silver Beaver in 1981. That is pretty significant, since the Lonesome Pine Council merged with the Blue Grass in 1979. He must have been one of the good guys who made the transition. Don II received the Silver Beaver in 2004. There aren’t many father and sons on that list.
Don III’s mom is the Honorable Representative Leslie Combs, who currently serves House District 94 in the Kentucky Legislature.
So there you have it. It’s a motivated "family tradition".
I’m looking forward to the continuation of this legend and tradition.
"It is required."
Don Combs III and Don Combs II
