MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Content Editor
Posted: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 3:06 pm

John Harney awarded Tom Caldwell with the 2010 Distinguished Rutherford County Scout award Wednesday. Caldwell has helped more than 100 boys achieve the Eagle Scout. TMP/M. WIllard

The Boy Scouts of America turned 100 years old nine days ago and one local man has been involved in the organization for the last 41 years.

Tom Caldwell was honored as the Distinguished Rutherford County Scout on Wednesday for his success in helping more than 100 Murfreesboro Boy Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

“A lot of people have a passion for hunting, fishing, horses, whatever, but Tom Caldwell has a passion for scouting,” Council Executive Board Member John Harney said.

Caldwell’s passion comes through in the fact he is one of less than 10 Scout Masters who have guided more than 100 boys through the Eagle Scout process.

He has served as Scout Master for Troop 416 at First Baptist Church for 41 years, since his son joined the pack as a boy.

As a whole the Trail of Tears District of the Boys Scouts produced 37 Eagle Scouts in 2009 in Rutherford and Cannon counties.

To achieve this honor, the boys completed more than 7,230 service hours to the benefit of the community.

Less than 1 percent of all boys in the nation complete the Eagle Scout.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.