FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2024
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
DISTINGUISHED EAGLE SCOUT CHANNING ZUCKER DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS TO NEW EAGLE SCOUTS
Virginia Beach, Va. – Channing M. “Chan” Zucker, retired naval officer, executive director of the Historic Naval Ships Association, Distinguished Eagle Scout, and member of the Eagle Scout Class of 1954, delivered the keynote address at Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America’s Council Recognition Banquet on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Chesapeake.
The event honored the 2023 Class of Eagle Scouts, a Venturing Summit Award recipient, the 2023 Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award, Silver Beaver Award recipients, National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Outstanding Eagle Scout Award recipients, Living Legends of Tidewater Council, Good Turn Society members, James E. West fellows, and more. Zucker was honored with a custom-made Council Shoulder Patch (CSP) from Tidewater Council. The CSP was awarded to members of the council’s Eagle Scout Class of 2023.
Zucker achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 8 in Arlington, Massachusetts, in 1954. His adult service began as an assistant Scoutmaster, troop committee member, and Explorer Post committee chair. He was the Webelos den leader and Cubmaster for his son’s pack in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
His Tidewater Council service began as committee chair for Troop 417, campmaster for a PAVAB district camporee, and assistant Scoutmaster for a Tidewater Council troop at the 1981 National Jamboree. He then moved to Northern Virginia, where he served as a unit commissioner and district trainer in the National Capital Area Council. Returning to Virginia Beach, he served on the PAVAB District membership committee and chaired the Tidewater Council Virginia Beach districts reorganization committee.
Zucker chaired three Eagle recognition events, one of which included visits to three aircraft carriers. He served as chartered organization representative for St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church for their Cub Scout pack and Scouts BSA troop, and liaison for three Girl Scout troops. He has served on Tidewater Council’s Executive Board and as council advancement committee chair.
He has received the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award. He was recognized in 2006 by the National Eagle Scout Association with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. Zucker is one of only nine Eagle Scouts to receive the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from Tidewater Council since the award’s inception in 1969.
Zucker received the Cliff Dochterman Award for service to Rotary and Scouting, and the United Methodist Church Torch Award. He was named a Tidewater Council Living Legend in 2019.
Zucker’s 32 years of naval service included sea duty on a cruiser, three destroyers, and command of an oceanographic unit onboard a hydrographic survey ship. During his 12 years with the Defense Mapping Agency, he commanded its distribution and digital production centers. Following his retirement from the Navy, he became executive director of the Historic Naval Ships Association. He served as president of the Rotary Club of Hampton Roads.
Zucker holds a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from Bowdoin College in Maine, a Master of Science in geodetic science from Ohio State University, and a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. He and his wife Yasuko have two children.
About the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) was established in 1969 by the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) to recognize Eagle Scouts who achieve extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within their profession and/or service to the nation and have a strong record of voluntary service to their community. The DESA is NESA’s highest honor for Eagle Scouts.
About the National Eagle Scout Association
The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) is an organization of individuals who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.
NESA’s stated objective is “to serve Eagle Scouts and, through them, the entire movement of Scouting.” NESA administers several scholarships for Eagle Scouts, both academic and merit based.
About Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America
Tidewater Council is the 5th oldest Boy Scouts of America council in the United States, established in 1911. Today, the council serves approximately 4,000 youth and 1,700 adult volunteers in the Virginia cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, and the North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans. More information about Tidewater Council is available by visiting TidewaterBSA.com, emailing james.parnell@scouting.org, or calling 757-497-2688.
About the Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the nation’s foremost youth character development and values-based leadership training programs. Since its inception in 1910, more than 130 million young men and women have participated in the BSA’s youth programs. More than 35 million adult volunteers have helped carry out the BSA’s mission.
BSA programs serve boys and girls ages five through 20, and their families, with age-appropriate curriculums that develop character, citizenship, leadership, and personal fitness. More information about the Boy Scouts of America is available by visiting scouting.org.
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