Florida's Scout Troop 409

[adgal]

**** Coleman thought his job as scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 409 wasn't going to be permanent when he took the position in 1988.

It's 20 years later, and Coleman is still the special needs troop's leader.

"They told me it would be temporary until they could find someone to replace me. I'm still waiting," the 63-year-old joked. "I have thoroughly enjoyed this."

Coleman, with help from his wife, Claudia, 63, oversees a 20-member troop. Its members are 14 to 53 years old and suffer from mental and physical disabilities.

The troop celebrated its 25-year anniversary Thursday at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pensacola.

About 70 people, including the Scouts, their parents, assistant Scout leaders and others, attended the event.

"We are so proud of this group," Claudia said. "We couldn't be any prouder if they were our own children."

The Colemans mean a lot to Troop 409, said Claudette Knodel, whose son, Clayton, 34, is a Scout.

"We are so proud of **** and Claudia," said Knodel, whose son has Down syndrome. "Not everyone can work with our boys, but they can. It's their patience, the time they put in and how they interact."

Derek Connell, 52, the first troop member to earn an Eagle Scout badge, said the troop has been fortunate to have the Colemans around.

"They mean a lot," he said. "Good leaders are hard to find — leaders that have the patience to help us. They do a good job helping us."

The Colemans came to Pensacola after **** retired from the Air Force as a master sergeant in 1986.

**** has been involved in Scouts since childhood. He earned his Eagle Scout badge when he was 13.

**** was a Scout leader throughout his 20-year Air Force career.

**** is proud of his troop.

"They are very dedicated," he said. "That's what I like about it. That's probably what keeps me coming back."

Linda Bloom's son, John Ambersley, 26, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, has been a troop member since 2004.

Bloom, 58, praised the work the Colemans have done with the troop.

The troop goes camping, has birthday parties, and the Colemans host a pumpkin carving party at their home each year.

"I have never really come across anyone like them," Bloom said. "They are involved in the lives of the Scouts and help each Scout develop as much as they can. The Scouts are family to them, and that's how they treat all of them."

http://www.pnj.com/article/99999999/NEWS15/310100002/Claudia-****-Coleman

[specialmom]

Oh, I really love this.  This is one of those stories that makes me a little teary eyed.  There are good people in the world, aren't there?  Thanks for sharing this.

[orphanedhawk]

I'm sure the name is deleted automatically. Seems silly but the computer doesn't know one d ick from another.

[adgal]

BTW...the **** is simply the poor man's first name.  It's D i c k, not me cursing...lol.

[adgal]

This story put a huge smile on my face as I think what this couple is doing is wonderful.  Thought I would share a happy story - shows how many good people are out there!