Jones, Anderson named 2016 Prince William County ‘Good Scouts’

The Boy Scouts on Wednesday night held its signature event in Prince William County honoring two longtime residents.

Prince William Chamber President Debbie Jones and Virginia Delegate Richard Anderson were both honored at the 2016 Good Scout Dinner at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. The annual fundraising event brought together elected leaders, as well as businesses owners.

Jones was the honoree from the Boy Scouts Bull Run District, which encompasses western Prince William County. Jones, who was the President of the Prince William County – Greater Manassas Chamber from 1993 to 2010 before it became the Prince William Chamber, and was appointed Chamber President again in 2014, thanked her family for helping her to succeed.

“I grew up in a very supportive and loving family. I know that is a privilege to do that. As I’ve gone through life, not every has that opprotunity, and has that loving, supporting family,” said Jones.

Jones said she found great role models and mentors in the community that all served as “sounding boards.” The two-time breast cancer survivor thanked her husband, Lynn, and urged other husbands and friends to urge the women in their lives to get annual mammograms.

“The next time you hug the one that you love: Your wife, your sister, your daughter, your friend, remind them of the importance of an annual mammogram. You could save their life,” she added.

Richard Anderson is the honoree from the Scouts’ Occoquan District. The Republican was first elected to the General Assembly in Richmond in 2009. Prior to that, he served for 30 years in the Air Force, and as the Commandant of the Civil Air Patrol.

“There is nothing more american, nothing more noble than the Boy Scouts of America. They mold young men in ways no other organization can do. If you look at leaders in Amerian society whether they are in government, in business, in the arts, in industry, in any other discipline — many of them were Scouts,” said Anderson.

Eagle Scout Ryan Johnson also spoke about achieving the organization’s highest rank and serving his community.