It all started when 18 former Tomahawk Staff members from the years 1955-1964 attended the Tomahawk 50th Anniversary celebration on August 16, 2003. Because we enjoyed the discussions that brought back so many memories, everyone present felt another reunion with all staff members from our era would be a good idea.

On June 5th 2004, 44 former staff members met at the River Camp (Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp) for the first reunion in 49 years. An additional 6 guests were present. And indeed it was a good idea. One comment over heard at the reunion was, “The conversations took up right were we left off years ago.” Along with the conversations, the memories came flooding back. Memories money could never buy and not one of us would sell at any price. Friendships were reestablished, telephone numbers and email address’ exchanged.

It seemed a common dilemma among staff members that having served several years on staff their memories, from those summers, meld into one. What year did that happen? Who took part in that? When did you …? Were you there when …? For some of us our memories were jogged by the discussions and our memories cleared up.

The conversations in the Training Building became so loud everyone was asked to go outside so we could more easily hear each other.

COMMITTEE - The committee consisted of Bob Albright, Dick Fihn, Keith Johansen, Hugh Gwin and Jim King. The first task was to create a complete list of staff members during that era. The list kept growing as we identified staff members who in turn remembered other names that were added to the list. In its final form the list consisted of 126 names. The job then was in locating each staff member. In the end we located 90 (12 deceased) of the 126. Seventy-eight invitations were mailed. We still have 36 staff members to find plus other names that were added at the reunion by those whose memories were jogged by the discussions.

DISPLAYS - Dick Fihn spent much time and effort in collecting photos and other memorabilia for display at the reunion. He also produced a Reunion Booklet that contained pictures and several staff member’s memories of Scouting and serving on the Tomahawk staff. This was a much-appreciated effort and contributed to the stimulating conversations that took place during the day and gave those attending a remembrance from the reunion.

PROGRAM - Jim King explained the history of Tomahawk and some interesting statistics on staff members that were brothers, father & sons and how some met their spouse on staff. Mike McCarthy informed the gathering on what Tomahawk camp is doing today and how many campers it serves. Mike also mentioned how he and many others have made life long friends with other staff members.

Bruce “Fish” Foster, the only staff member in 1953 and 1954, and thus the first Tomahawk staff member, received a sign that disappeared mysteriously from the entrance to his tent in 1958. The sign read “Fish’s Seldom Inn.” He was surprised that it still existed and even more surprised that it should be returned to him 46 years later.

LUNCH – Hugh Gwin provided the lunch. BBQ hamburgers, brats, potato salad, cole slaw, pickles, baked beans, and pop were served. A sheet cake with the 1950’s Tomahawk Logo, name and date of the event pictured on top was served for desert. “Fish” Foster was given the honor of cutting the first piece.

THANK YOU - The reunion committee thanks Carol Forrest, Jim Schwieger, and Mike McCarthy from the Indianhead Council Office for their support and making their services available to us. This reunion would not have been possible without their support.

Thank you to Dick Carroll and the North Star Museum for lending us many pictures and other memorabilia from our era.

Our thanks to Art Marty for his support and for providing all the equipment and appliances we requested.

Besides those that live in Minnesota and Wisconsin some staff members came from Hawaii, New York, Connecticut, Colorado, and Nevada. For some it was no short trip from Minnesota or Wisconsin either. From Minnesota they came from Bemidji, Cushing, Dalton, Detroit Lakes, Mankato, Tofte, Clear Lake, East Bethal, Rochester, St. Peter and Wyoming. And those from Wisconsin traveled from Altoona, Sarona, Birchwood and Lake Geneva.

With the passing of Dick Fihn on June 11, 2004, just six days after the reunion, the reunion has now taken on a special meaning. It is now viewed as a memorial to Dick Fihn. There are few Dick Fihn’s in this world. Not many people willingly volunteer to lend a helping hand to the extent that Dick did. The displays mentioned above came from many sources and in some cases required Dick to visit staff members that lived far away. One weekend Dick traveled 590 miles to visit 2 staff members and to do research at the North Star Scouting Museum to find appropriate material to add to his displays. He enlisted the help of his daughter Loreli Westby and neighbor Steve Handegaard. Loreli and Steve and many others have expressed that “His enthusiasm for the reunion project was contagious”.

Dick wanted to have a display that listed those that were deceased along with their picture. He referred to them as “Those tying square knots in the sky.” He felt he wouldn’t be able to do the display justice without more time and decided to put it on hold until “next time”. He had already started on volume 2 to the Reunion Booklet which would contain the memorial to those staff members that are no longer with us.