Boy Scouts across the country have a new patch they'll be able to earn, and they can thank an Ellicott City scout for the idea.
Earlier this year, the Boy Scouts of America announced the Honor Guard patch — a new patch that recognizes scouts who participate in Color Guards and other similar programs for community service.
The patch was designed and proposed by Dennis Howser-Doty, 16, a Senior Patrol Leader with Troop 944 out of Ellicott City.
Howser-Doty's troop has furnished Color Guards for community flag ceremonies over the years, but after the Preakness Hot Air Balloon Festival at Turf Valley last May, Howser-Doty approached Scoutmaster Chip Galloway with the idea for a patch recognizing scouts who participate in Color Guard activities.
"I told him it might be a long shot when we started talking about it," Galloway said.
But after six months of talking to his fellow scouts, designing the patch, and writing letters to leaders at Boy Scout headquarters in Irving, Texas, the patch was approved.
Galloway, who has led Troop 944 for about 15 years, said he has never had another scout approach him with a proposal for a national patch.
At the Preakness celebration, scouts participated in the Armed Forces Day Ceremony, serving in the Color Guard Flag Presentation and escorting wounded veterans to hot air balloons to thank them for their service. These activities align with the Boy Scouts' initiative to be more involved with Wounded Warriors and other community functions.
Howser-Doty said he was happy the patch was approved but acknowledged he was surprised there was no patch for scouts who participated in Color Guard activities.
"All the years that they [Boy Scouts] have done Color Guard in the Boy Scouts, I was shocked that no one really thought of that," he said.
The beige and white patch has "Honor Guard" in green letters across the top and includes the Boy Scout emblem in the center. It is to be worn on the right sleeve.
The patch was released in January and scouts must participate in three Color Guard activities to earn it.
Troop 944 is based out of Bethany United Methodist Church in Ellicott City with about 70 members from Clarksville to Catonsville and everywhere in between.
Galloway said Color Guard members typically participate in four to five ceremonies each year that are requested by community organizations. They'll be presenting the flag at the Baltimore Orioles' Opening Day ceremony on Friday.
Howser-Doty, a scout for about five years, is a Life Scout and hopes to earn the rank of Eagle Scout this summer. He is a sophomore at Centennial High School.
After high school, Howser-Doty said he plans on enlisting in the military, although he hasn't decided which branch.
Once he turns 18, Howser-Doty said he'd like to become an adult leader in the troop and remain involved in scouting.
"I want to give back to the scouts for everything they've given me. I want to give back to the younger ones," he said "Once a scout, always a scout."