Kenneth Ammons, former Scoutmaster for Troop 80 Boy Scouts of America, was awarded the distinguished Silver Beaver Award on Sunday, March 19 during services at the First United Methodist Church of Many. Ammons led the troop from 1990 to 2013.
The Silver Beaver is the highest award a council can present to a volunteer for outstanding service to youth. It also represents outstanding longtime service by performing community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication after many years. It is awarded to those who do not seek it.
Ammons was nominated by Many Lions Club members Jim Cole and Stewart Carnline. The Lions Club supported the troop for a number of years.
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin recognized Ammons’ accomplishments and sent a certificate for his “outstanding work in achieving the prestigious Boy Scouts of America Silver Bearded award.” Ardoin noted “Many in Scouting aspire to, but few actually achieve the Silver Beaver.”
Ammons re-activated Troop 80 in 1990 and was responsible for re-activating Cub Pack 331, which was led by his wife. During his 23-year tenure as Scoutmaster, he mentored nine scouts in attaining the Eagle Scout rank, the highest award in Scouting. They included Chris Honaker of Natchitoches, Ben Festervand of Clara Springs, Elmer McAlpin of Robeline, Lance Horner of Many, Ammons’ sons, Davy and Paul; Joseph Hardy and Colin Troha, both of Many; and Brett Edmonds of Robeline.
Ammons saw many local scouts become young men of integrity.
He enjoyed leading hikes, camp-outs at Garland Scout Ranch, working on local community projects and guiding the Scouts to follow the Scout Laws.
Various men and women in the community assisted on numerous projects, including Assistant Scoutmasters Leslie Crowson, the Rev. Richard Hooton, the late Melanie LaFleur, and Buster Jordon; along with the Rev. Francie Hooton, Allen Isgitt, Steve Meyers, P.M. Woods, Derek Smith and the late C.J. Remedies and John Harris and numerous others.
Over the years Ammons served on the Netami District Scout Committee and the Norwela Council Board of Directors. He also served as Cub Pack 331 Committee Chairman from 1992-97; was presented the Netami District Award of Merit, 1996; obtained Brotherhood in Order of the Arrow; and was a recipient of Good Scouting Award from Norwela Council. He also received recognition from the Cub Scout Pack 331 and the Many Lions Club for his efforts with the Scouts.
Among the many Scout projects were the following: --Clean Up Days for the Town of Many, where the Scouts picked up litter; --Sabine Parish Fair, litter control and later, helping park vehicles; --Flag Raising ceremonies conducted at schools, the Sabine Hall of Fame, Veterans of Foreign War, Fisher Sawmill Days and the First United Methodist Church; --Leading numerous Many Christmas parades; --Numerous Troop 80 scouts served on staff at summer camp held at Garland Scout Ranch; --Camping trips to Arkansas and Louisiana; --Lead a crew of Scouts to Philmont National Scout Ranch in New Mexico, where they completed an 85-mile hike; --Led a group of Scouts to Sea Base off the coast of Florida, where they kayaked to a deserted island and camped for several days; and, --With the assistance of Boise Cascade and Forester Bob Nolen, the Scouts built a two-mile walking track through the forest in 1999. They developed the trail, named the trees and adopted maintenance of the trail, which was used by many citizens for exercise and relaxation for several years.
Although Boy Scouts of America was a large part of his life, he was also involved in the community: --First United Methodist Church of Manyserved in numerous leadership roles to include Trustee Chairman, Administrative Council, Choir, guitarist for choir, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School, Youth leader, prop construction for church plays, built Christmas Parade entries for church, Christmas Cantata, Toys for Tots, Heifer Project construction trips to Arkansas; Cursillo Pilgrim and served on staff twice; Camping Cursillistas (RV campers); and much more.
--Through St. Luke-Simpson Methodist Church of Lake Charles, he has attended medical missions in Honduras for three years, where he worked in the pharmacy, aided in dentistry, and assisted in Bible School for the local children.
Ammons was also active in the following: --Many Lions Club- 40-year member, past president, Eye Program for elementary school children, Rose Sales, cooking at Lions Crippled Children’s Camp, and assisting when the circus came to town; --Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce— member, Past President, Board member numerous years and Director, three years, where he established a newsletter and mentored Sabine Valley Technical School students in office procedures; --Community activities— Active in Dixie Youth Baseball and coaching Biddy Basketball, Young Eagles Fly-In at Hart Airport, Chairman of Sabine Parish Volunteer Blood Program (10 years), coordinated meals and opened church’s Family Life Center for refugees seeking shelter from hurricanes, Poppy Day Sales for VFW, sat on Scout Board of Reviews, Chairman of Many’s Hart Airport, named Good Citizen of Sabine Hall of Fame, Back-to-School Rally, distributing free school supplies; Sabine Parish Mardi Gras Krewe, served on Krewe seven times and former King; and land-owner on Toledo Bend Lake.
Ammons enjoyed banking careers at Sabine State Bank and Peoples State Bank, opened his own computer service and served the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce, prior to total retirement.
He also served in the Army National Guard for 11 years, attaining the rank of Captain while commanding units in Shreveport, Jonesboro, Many and Alexandria. He also attained his private pilot’s license in 1998.
The son of the late Cliff and Ethel Ammons, he was one of five children born and raised in Many. He graduated from Many High and Northwestern State University.
He now enjoys camping in his Class C motor home, cruising, cooking and spending time with friends. He also enjoys his seven grandchildren, reading John Grisham novels and keeping up with space-related activities in his spare time.