1956 Region V Explorer Air Encampment - Memphis NAS

In the late 1940's to 1960's, Exploring Scouts participated in Regional Encampments.  Usually these were held at Air Force Bases or Naval Air Stations. The genesis was likely the Air Scout program of the 1940's and it evolved into a Senior Scouting event for Explorers.  The patch shown above is from the 1956 Explorer Encampment held at the Memphis or Millington Naval Air Station just north of Memphis.  Scouts from Region V (Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisana and Arkansas) participated.  The patch pictures the U.S. Navy's newest jet - the Grumman U.S.S. Intrepid F9F-8 Cougar VF-61.

Unique to this event held in early 1956 was the fact that there were Air demonstrations; displays and talent shows.  At the annual talent show on Saturday evening legend has it that Elvis Presley himself made a surprise appearance for the Scouts.  Presley was just making it big and was about to hit the top of the charts with "Heartbreak Hotel" after moving over to RCA Records.  Many scouts claim he was there though no photos officially exist of the visit. Even without this, the above patch is one of the most highly collectible Air Encampment Patches ever made due to the Region identification, location of the event, possible guest and the pictured new F9F - 8 Cougar.  You are a lucky Scout if you have this one in your collection.