In his time assisting Troop 20 of Medford, Lee Bealuk has mentored 84 young men.
Medford resident Lee Bealuk has served in a leadership capacity with Boy Scouts of America Troop 20 of Medford for more than 50 years. In recognition of his longstanding efforts, Bealuk received a proclamation in his honor at the Medford Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
Bealuk, a 79-year-old Philadelphia native, serves as the troop’s committee chairman and mentor of Scouts who wish to attain the the highest rank within the organization. Over the years, he has mentored 84 young men on their journey to obtaining the title of Eagle Scout.
Furthermore, Bealuk served and continues to serve as a liaison between each Eagle Scout of Troop 20 and the entities through which they conduct their Eagle Scout projects. As a result of many of these community enhancement projects, Medford Township has been a beneficiary.
“My greatest achievements come through helping these boys advance to Eagle Scout through helping and teaching them exactly how to do so. It’s important that they be guided properly,” Bealuk, a member of the Boy Scouts of America since 1949, said. “I get the greatest satisfaction out of helping people live up to their dreams.”
Mayor Chuck Watson, an Eagle Scout himself along with his three brothers, expressed his appreciation for all of the work Bealuk has done in helping to guide young men to the same rank over the years. Along with rank, he recognized Bealuk’s drive to help Scouts develop into responsible and involved young men.
“It’s quite an honor what you have done, and that [men you’ve helped] to recognize you as well,” Watson said.
Also at the Town Council meeting, a field representative from Rep. Tom MacArthur’s office, Robert E. Smyth, elaborated on Bealuk’s achievements while touching on the personal ties he shared with the community Boy Scout leader. Smyth began by sharing that he used to be Bealuk’s boss at the Motor Vehicle Agency, located at 175 Route 70.
“I know him pretty well and got to see the way he works with the public. He did a great job and I enjoyed working with him,” Smyth said. “Also, I’m a former Army officer in Vietnam, and [Bealuk] was also in the Army.”
Along with sharing a bond as veterans, Smyth added both he and Bealuk had spent time in Anchorage, Ala. Despite all of their similarities, Smyth expressed it was with great honor and appreciation for Bealuk and his individual accomplishments that Smyth got to distinguish and thank his former colleague for all he has done to contribute to both the Boy Scouts organization and to Medford.
“One person doesn’t make the whole job work, it takes a team and it takes a troop,” Bealuk said in accepting his proclamation. “I stand here before you and thank you all, and I can say that [township people] have supported us throughout our endeavors. All the leaders in our troop that are here have [helped make] this work. It’s not a one-person situation.”
To Bealuk, these leaders and his troop are exactly what makes Scouting so special, and what has guided his lengthy involvement in the organization. Bealuk explained when his father died when he was just 10 years old, he found people through Scouting who became like a second father to him.
“I still feel an obligation to give back to Scouting what it has given to me,” Bealuk said. “It gave me direction, self-confidence and set the stage for my career.”
