Local Legionnaire Chris Cancillia, a life member of the Walter E. Cole Post 187, American Legion received the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Amateur Radio Club Service to Scouting award for 2020 for his work in opening up the world of ham radio to Scouts.
Cancilla (call sign W4CEC) is an Air Force veteran and the post’s Scouting chair. He is also president of the post’s amateur radio club, WF4TAL. He is founder and club president of the Occoneechee Amateur Radio Society (OARS), Scouting chair for the Franklin County Amateur Radio Club and holds commissioner positions on the BSA Occoneechee Council. He was presented with the award by his ARRL section leader at a Franklin County Amateur Radio Club meeting.
Over the past year, Chris has held Merit Badge events, conducted licensing classes and test sessions, participated in Get on the Air (GOTA) and Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) events, and much more. He also keeps in the loop with connections to the K2BSA Amateur Radio Association (“considered the amateur radio station for BSA’s National Council, according to its website”), TALARC operating out of American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis, and the Department of North Carolina Amateur Radio Committee. And plans are underway for this October’s Jamboree On The Air event – Scouting’s largest event in the world.
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