Community leader Dr. John “Rick” Richards and the Boy Scouts of America’s Georgia- Carolina Council this year made history.

The council at its Centennial Gala and Recognition Banquet honored Dr. Richards as its first recipient of the BSA’s Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in its 100-year history.

The prestigious award is the National Eagle Scout Association’s highest honor. The award can only be given to Eagle Scouts who earned the BSA’s highest rank at least 25 years ago.

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is presented to those who have received extraordinary national- level recognition, fame, or demonstrated eminence within their field, and have a strong record of voluntary service to their community. Previous recipients of this award include President Gerald R. Ford, Neil Armstrong, Rex Tillerson, Robert Gates and Mike Rowe.

“Scouting’s motto, oath, laws and tenets have long influenced my daily decisions and experiences resulting in who I am and what has been accomplished. I am grateful to God and Scouting for the all the blessings and opportunities recognized by this award,” said Dr. Richards.

The Georgia-Carolina Council serves more than 1,600 area youth and 700 adult volunteers providing mentorship and guidance in 16 local counties, including Richmond, Columbia and Aiken. Over 5,000 CSRA residents are Eagle Scouts. To join Scouting today, go to gacacouncil.org, or contact the Scout office at (706) 733-5277.

For more information or to coordinate additional media coverage, please contact Rebecca Stiles, District Executive for the Georgia-Carolina Council, at (706) 733-5277 or [email protected].