McCaskey one of four honored by Boy Scouts

Patrick McCaskey serves as Special Projects Senior Director for the Chicago Bears, but Wednesday night he found himself reminiscing about merit badges and his years in Boy Scouting while growing up in Des Plaines

“I still remember the Thursday night meetings we had at St. Mary's, in the school hall, McCaskey said. “It was a great part of my childhood, and I'm honored to be recognized by the Boy Scouts in my adulthood.

McCaskey was one of four Distinguished Citizens honored by the Northwest Suburban Boy Scout Council, based in Mount Prospect.

His mother, Virginia McCaskey, even turned out for the dinner, along with some of McCaskey's former friends from his Boy Scout Troop 22, including the Rev. Don Nevins, pastor of St. Agnes of Bohemia parish in Chicago

“Scouting taught them how to do things on their own, Virginia McCaskey said. “It taught them to set goals in order to accomplish their merit badges and it led to lifelong friendships.

This year's dinner took on even added significance, said master of ceremonies Paul Meincke, of ABC 7 News, as it culminated the yearlong observance of the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouting.

He pointed to such national celebrations as a float in the Tournament of Roses parade, and a grand centennial parade in Washington, D.C, to the National Jamboree in Virginia last summer which drew 40,000 Scouts.

Locally, he said the Scout Trek 2010 that took place last month in Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village drew more than 1,000 Scouts and their families

“This has been a very special year, Meincke said. Business leaders and supporters from across the Northwest suburbs gathered for the formal dinner, held at the Stonegate Conference & Banquet Center in Hoffman Estates.

Joining McCaskey as Distinguished Citizens, were Dr. Kenneth Ender, president of Harper College, Al Knox, a member of the Boy Scout council's executive board and partner in a Palatine CPA firm; and George Van Dusen, mayor of Skokie.

Of the group, Ender was the only one to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, but all had spent some of their formative years in Scouting

“Scouting plays such an important role with today's youth, Ender said. “It provides a lot of leadership and as boys grow up, it teaches them to be successful.

Knox, too, credited Scouting with giving him experiences, such as camping and learning outdoor survival skills, that he wouldn't have learned elsewhere.

“Just advancing up the ranks of Scouting, you learn valuable leadership skills, said Knox, whose BlK & Co. has offices in Palatine and Vernon Hills.

Steve Taylor, executive director of the Boy Scout Council said the annual dinner is a major fundraiser, boosting the operating budget of the council that serves nearly 17,000 suburban youth and their leaders

“Nearly every distinguished citizen that we pick has had some sort of experience with Scouting, Taylor said, “but we look for leaders who are good role models and who give back to their communities.