Announcing the 2024 Eagle Class Honorees, Donald Wesley Hill and Douglas Milton Hill
Don and Doug Hill started in Cub Scouts in 1955, in Pack 718 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. They moved to Pack 709 in 1956 where they both earned Arrow of Light in 1958. They joined Scout Troop 724 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, earning Star Scout and their God and Country Awards. They were original members of the first Richmond Virginia Fire Department Explorer Post 770 under Chief Edgar A. Sherry from 1963 -65.
Don has been an Adult Scouter for 45 years. He began as Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 407 sponsored by Grace Baptist Church in 1979. In 1981 he was recruited as Scoutmaster of Troop 415 at Sts. Helen and Constitine Greek Orthodox Church. He has served Troop 409 at 7th Street Christian Church for 23 years, first as Assistant Scoutmaster and then18 years as Scoutmaster. Twenty-one scouts earned Eagle Scout under his leadership. In 2008 he joined Troop 436 at St Bridget Catholic Church as an Assistant Scoutmaster and is currently the Cubmaster for Cub Pack 436 and James River District Training Chair.
Doug began his 40-year tenure as an Adult Scouter as a Webelos Den Leader for Pack 409 in 1984 and in 1987 joined Troop 409 as Assistant Scoutmaster. Doug served as Capitol District Advancement Chair for 20 years. He was the Capitol District Commissioner for 5 years and also served as Assistant District Chairman. He is now serving as Assistant District Commissioner for the James River District.
Don and Doug are Merit Badge counselors, served as staff at Cub Day Camp, Winter Camp and Camporees. Don attended Wood Badge in 1983, and attended Wood Badge for the 21st Century in 2012 and served on staff in 2016. Doug attended Wood Badge in 2014 and also served on the staff of S7-603-16 in 2016.
Don has been a Jamboree Troop Leader at 7 National Jamborees, ASM 5 times and SM twice, and was on staff for the 2023 National Jamboree. He served as 1st ASM for the World Jamboree in 2019.
Both Don and Doug hold the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow. Don received the National OA Founders Award in 2019, He holds the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Awards. Doug has also been presented the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Awards.
Don worked as a printing estimator at Byrd Press/Cadmus Communicans/Cenveo for 49 years. He is active at Grace Baptist Church, serving as a Deacon and Youth Committee Chair for many years. He has been married to Forrest Anne Hill for 55 years, has three children, one Eagle Scout son, two daughters, and three grandchildren. Each one of the children are, or have been, very active in Scouting.
Doug was a sales executive at General Medical from 1970-1982 and Nikon Microscopes from 1982-2017. He is married to Valerie Caldwell Hill and the proud father of two Eagle Scout sons, Brian, Casey, daughter Taelor Hill and stepfather to Craig and Brett Caldwell. He has three grandsons and granddaughters. Grandchildren Gabriel and Zoe were active in scouting in Portugal.
The Heart of Virginia Council is pleased to name these two truly outstanding Scouters, Don and Doug Hill, as the 2024 Eagle Class Honorees.