Libby Eagle Scout named Montana VFW Scout of the Year
Libby Eagle Scout Warren Paulsen was named the Department of Montana VFW 2025 Scout of the Year. He was honored at a ceremony Friday, July 4, in Roosevelt Park in Troy. (Courtesy photo)
A Eagle Scout from Libby has been named the Department of Montana VFW 2025 Scout of the Year.
Eagle Scout Warren Paulsen was honored at a ceremony Friday, July 4 in Roosevelt Park in Troy.
Troy VFW Post 5514 Scouting America Charter Organization Representative and master of ceremonies Timmothy Garrison shared Paulsen’s story.
“Warren grew up in Cub Scout Pack 4925 and Troop 1971. His Eagle Scout Service Project was planning and leading the trail maintenance for the walking path around Pioneer Park and then graveling it,” Garrison said.
In 2025, Paulsen was nominated by Troop 1971 as the VFW Post 5514 Scout of the Year. Additionally, he was nominated by Post 5514 to compete in the Department of Montana VFW Scout of the Year Program.
“Warren competed with Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout Gold Award winners across the state of Montana,” Morrison said. “Although there is no national competition this year, Warren was still recognized by the state Department of Montana VFW as the national participant for Montana with a National Certificate and a National Scout of the Year Participant Medal.”
Paulsen has served his community and the state of Montana well and is deserving of this public recognition.
Amy Snow presented Paulsen with the National Scout of the Year Participant Medal. Amy Snow serves as the VFW Post 5514 Scouting Executive Officer.
Troy VFW Post 5514 in Troy, charters three units from Scouting America.
“I personally grew up in Troy Montana in the 1980s and I participated in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, now rebranded as Scouting America to better align to the World Organization of Scouting Movement and our bordering programs of Scouts Canada and Association of Scouting Mexico,” Garrison said. “Like many youth organizations, they cannot exist without credible adults volunteers and charter organizations providing facilities for the programs.”
Garrison said he began working with the Troy VFW to bring back Scouts to Troy.
“In 2023, Cub Scout Pack 4925 of Libby found themselves without a charter organization to support them. Troy VFW Post 5514 stepped up and provided them with charter support and facilities to meet as needed, thereby continuing the legacy of Scouting in Lincoln County. Today, Cub Scout Pack 4925 of Libby/Troy is the second largest Pack west of the Continental Divide in Montana and the largest Pack North of Missoula. Cubmaster Louis Kuennen leads our Cub Scout Pack in Libby and Troy.
“In September 2023, we added Troop 1971 out of Libby under Scoutmaster Ron Thatcher. Today Troop 1971 is led by Scoutmaster Chris Caudill,” Garrison said.
He also explained that in May 2024, Troop 1924, the first all female troop in Lincoln County under Scoutmaster Jamie Taylor, joined Libby/Troy.
All leaders are Youth Protection Trained and have completed background checks.
The trail to the coveted Eagle Scout Rank includes merit badges in hobbies and vocations, as well as personal fitness, outdoor skills and citizenship.
The culminating event is leading an Eagle Scout Service Project in the community. The Service Project is more than just a stepping stone for Eagle Scout, it is also gives young people the opportunity to learn how to plan and lead a service project, a skill that they will undoubtedly use repeatedly throughout their life time.”
Several notable leaders attended the ceremony, including Troop 1971B Scoutmaster Emeritus Ron Thatcher, Troop 1971B Scoutmaster Chris Caudill, Troop 1924G Scoutmaster Jamie Taylor, Troop 1924G Committee Chair Dr. Jana Hall, Troop 1919G Scoutmaster Dr. Ann Grimshaw (Missoula), VFW Post 5514 (Troy) Commander Travis Sealy
VFW Post 1548 (Libby) Commander Bill Crews and VFW Post 5514 Scouting America Executive Officer Amy Snow.