The construction is under way for the new Blue Elk Lodge named after J. D. Hammontree, Recording Medicine Man Blue Elk, the founding Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 282 sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church in Independence, Missouri. The new building is funded by tribal members contributing monetary donations to the building fund. Everyone’s monetary help is needed and no donation is too small.  As a tribesman and an Eagle Scout of Troop 282, I am challenging all current and past Troop 282 tribal members to dig deep into your pockets to make a monetary contribution to the building fund for the new Blue Elk Lodge. This will show your dedication to our founding Scoutmaster, a true legend in the Tribe Mic-O-Say and in the Boy Scouting program.

For those who did not have the opportunity to know this man, I would like to share his legacy. J. D. walked with a cane, spoke very softly and was the organist for Trinity Episcopal Church.  He was the Scoutmaster of Troop 282 from 1948 until 1969 when he passed away. He walked the hills of Osceola from 1939 to 1969 as an integral part of H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. It is impossible to know how many lives he touched, influenced and changed during his scouting career. J.D. was a very good listener and anyone could stop him on the trail to talk and he would take the time to sit down and listen. He also had a very good memory and once he met you and knew your name he would never forget it. If you passed him on the trail a year or two later, he would call you by name. He was respected by all the scouts and leaders. As I previously said, he spoke very softly in all settings, only stated his thoughts once and expected his audience to be attentive to the conversation. J.D. Hammontree, Medicine Man Blue, should be remembered by all and I cannot think of a better way to honor him than having the new Blue Elk Lodge named after him.

I am challenging all current and past Troop 282 tribal members to please dig deep into your pockets and make a monetary contribution to the building fund for the new Blue Elk Lodge. If you are a scout and can only afford to contribute a dollar or two, do not feel that your contribution is too small because many small contributions add up to equal a combined large contribution.

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