Eric Silva Receives OA’s Distinguished Service Award
The National Office of the Order of the Arrow yesterday released the names of the 2020 Distinguished Service Award recipients. Among those names was Kittatinny Lodge member and current Membership Committee Adviser, Eric J. Silva.
Many of us know the time and energy Eric puts into Scouting in our Council. From his current unit service as a Cub Committee Chairman and Assistant Scoutmaster (along with having held nearly every adult position you can hold in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing Crews); to his District service as Commissioner, Roundtable Commissioner and serving on numerous committees; to his Council service in leadership of numerous NYLT courses, numerous Woodbadge courses (including Course Director), Merit Badge Counselor, and Jamboree Scoutmaster; and to his service to the lodge as Membership Committee Adviser (2017-present) and past Communications Committee Adviser (2011-2017); as well as his unselfish support of the council with his time and expertise in many other ways, including computing support, camp maintenance work, even mowing and painting at camp, Eric is there to serve without question. With all of that in mind, NONE of those things contributed to Eric receiving the DSA.
What many may NOT know, is that on top of all the things Eric does for the council locally, he has also been serving on National OA Committees since 2013. At the National level in the Order, Eric has served in the following capacities: 2016-Present – Adviser, Website – National Order of the Arrow; 2013-Present – Member – National Order of the Arrow Communications and Web Team; 2018 NOAC Web Adviser; 2016 NEXT Web Adviser; and 2015- NOACtv Team. Additionally, Eric has served as Adviser for the Section NE-6B Web & Communications team. For all of his service to the OA locally, regionally, and nationally, we can think of no better person to receive the DSA recognition.
Congratulations, Eric !
The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) was created in 1940 to honor those who rendered service to the Order beyond the lodge level. The award is presented to Arrowmen, youth and adult, who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional, or national basis. The award is presented at National Order of the Arrow Conferences. Since the time the first awards were presented, less than 1000 Distinguished Service Awards have been awarded.
The award is a sterling silver arrowhead bearing an arrow pointing up and to the wearer’s right. The award is suspended from a white neck-ribbon on which red arrows are embroidered. A white square knot embroidered on red cloth is available for uniform wear and a silver arrowhead lapel pin is available for civilian wear.