Author: Mike Matzinger
Joe Grunenwald credits Scouting America with teaching him honesty and confidence—values he carried into a 32-year career at Clarion University, where he eventually served as president. He was one of nearly 30 former Scouts who reunited on June 28 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Pulaski, PA Troop 723’s first Eagle Scout. Together, they shared memories of Philmont treks, freezing winter campouts, and the mentors who shaped their lives. The recent rediscovery of the troop’s long-missing Eagle Scout board sparked the reunion and a flood of reflections on leadership, friendship, and the power of outdoor adventure. “Scouting gave me more than I ever put into it,” said Tom Patton, the reunion organizer. From Wall Street to steel mills, from education to public service, Troop 723 alumni continue to live out the values of character, service, and resilience instilled through Scouting America. Here’s to the next 100 years of impact.