GULF SHORES, Ala. — Troop 49 came together at Erie Meyer Auditorium last Saturday afternoon for a very memorable occasion: the Troop’s 30th Eagle Scout was inducted, and outgoing Scoutmaster Tony Diliberto turned over his charge to successor Dr. Lyle Cooper, senior patrol leader.

Other presentations included recognition of all Eagle Scouts and special guests. 

David Morace, first Eagle Scout of Troop 49, was there with his growing family. Justin Mayfield, the 30th Eagle Scout, was there with his parents for induction into the great Forty Niner Troop.

From the somber presentation of colors to the end of the special retirement recognition for Diliberto — “Mr. D” — and Mrs. Pat, there were tears and laughter. The emphasis continually was on local greatness in a globally important Scouting organization.

The Dilibertos came to Gulf Shores in 1978, set up a business and almost immediately were called on to survive Hurricane Frederick. Mr. D never broke stride in helping the Island recover, and fortified the community with Scouting.  Diliberto helped build a solid community which shared “paradise” with the ever-growing tourist world. When he stood up in a City Council meeting, everyone listened.

“You know me,” he would say, and everyone would laugh. Surely they knew him, and as one observer remarked, “When Mr. D speaks, people listen. He’s sincere and concerned and his voice carries well.”

His character carried well in the larger world of Scouting also. In 1989 he was assistant Scoutmaster at the National Scout Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Va., and in 2005 was selected as the National Jamboree Scoutmaster. Some 35,000 Scouts were in this famous military range.

Some people are “born to greatness” (as Shakespeare wrote), and in Diliberto’s case, greatness was not confined by the role of National Jamboree Scoutmaster. Greatness came to him when he was in charge of fund-raising, camporees, Scout shows and conservation projects on the local scenes. He earned Wood Badge, the District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, Order of the Arrow Vigil, and the Optimist Clubs’ Achievement in Education. Each week he has met with his troop and camped with them each month. He is “Mr. D” to thousands of people. 

The role of Troop 49 was explained in the presentation of the Trail to Eagle Scout. Bob Grant  made the point that out of any 100 Scouts, the percentage of leadership and citizenship is outstanding. The Scoutmaster’s and leaders’ earnings in all of these roles are never monetary, he said. Even those who drop out of Scouting carry the influence into leadership and citizenship and have a good record of civil devotion and obedience. Bill Holmes fortified that analysis by citing the real worth of Scouting, of the permeation of every facet of life with the oath and uncompromising principles.

Scouting, family and community were the continuing themes from the prayer given by Rev. Juliana Mobley, to the testimonials by the parents of the new Eagle Scout Justin C. Mayfield. The ceremony of the Eagle Scout Challenge by Scoutmaster Kevin Doriety  and the acceptance by new Eagle Scout Mayfield were exemplary.

An announcement was made about a new Scout facility. The Meyer Foundation has granted land near Gulf Shores Elementary School for a Scout building. Troop 49 is waiting for an IRS tax number and the community will be called upon to help with the building program.