Region V Arkansas - What Is It???

Here is one of my favorite patches - and least known.  What I do know is that this is a Region V Patch from Arkansas.  How do we know?  Well the Razorback is a dead giveaway from the Westark Area Council.  But there are other Arkansas scouting motifs in this patch.  Foremost is the prominent Cedar Tree which came from Camp Cedar Valley in the old East Arkansas Area Council.  I purchased this patch in Jonesboro, Arkansas near this camp.  The other motif is the old DeSoto Area Council shape of the patch.  Finally is the crossed axe & spade along with the Region V logo on the Cedar Tree.  There is no writing of any kind so one can only guess what this was for - Service work at Camp Cedar Valley during an OA event; an Arkansas Region V Encampment of these Councils (Where is Quapaw??).  So if you have any idea what this is please let me know at campmoreland@gmail.com   Great patch with no history behind it.

1946 Region V - "Wings Over Dixie" Felt

In 1946 the Air Scout program in the United States was at its zenith.  With the end of World War II and aviation interest at its peak, the Air Scouting movement was popular around the country.  Most Regions sponsored events for Air Scouts / Explorers.  These were usually held at Air Force Bases or Naval Air Stations.  One of the most popular was the early "Wings over Dixie" sponsored by Region V of the BSA.  This event went on for about five years and originally started in 1946 at Keesler Air Force Base near Biloxi, Mississippi.

The felt patch pictured above is one of the rarest Region V Patches ever produced.  The event had no more than 200 participants due to the distance many would have to travel to get there.  In addition with the patches being flocked felt they simply did not stand up well to time, washings and moths.  Very few have survived.  They recall an era when the U.S. was still in the euphoria of the World War victory and along with that the desire for a lot of youth to participate in military type activities. Being able to attend an Air Encampment and witness firsthand WWII aircraft was a big deal for many Air Scouts / Explorers.  The patch above became a source of great pride upon its awarding.  A great piece of Scouting history if you are lucky enough to find or own one.

Region V Scouter Training Award

Here is a really interesting patch from the 1950's.  The Region V Scouter Training Award Patch had the roman numerals I - VIII surrounding the patch.  They appeared to be Rockers that could be cut-off and earned by each level.  It was less cost prohibitive to have the entire patch made with the Rockers sewn in, thus some came complete as the one above.  I have not really been able to get a read on what the Patch was presented for or what the I - VIII represent (levels of training you would assume).  Yet it is still one of the harder to find Region V patches - especially Mint & in tact.  If anyone has any ideas on what these were present for please e-mail me and let us all know.

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.