Boy Scout Troop of Saratoga

In February 1996, Mr. Wesling was selected by our local United Way organization to carry the Olympic flame in the Olympic Torch Relay for the 1996 Games in Atlanta, Georgia, based on his nomination as a local "community hero".

THE 1996 OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY --
America's Community Heroes Program

Stories/Photos: see links below.

Volunteer Work:

• YMCA Indian Guides: Tribe, Nation Chief
• Cub Scouts: Cubmaster; Webelos Leader
• Boy Scouts: Scoutmaster 10 years; 75 boys; Quality Unit, National Camping awards; 4 Eagle Projects/year
• Explorers: founded high-adventure Post
• Silver Beaver and Award of Merit; advanced BSA training, wilderness medicine, CPR certification

• VP-Publications for the IEEE (his professional society): worldwide volunteer staff of 250; 5 scholarly publications
• Centennial Medal; Outstanding Contribution award
• Elected Senior Member
• Organized 200+ courses in local community

• University Board of Regents 6 years
• Two PTA Honorary Service Awards
• Church treasurer, then President

Role Model/Mentor:

• County Fair "Family of Year"
• Speaker for high school Career Days
• University guest speaker

Hero:


• 1989: With training from a United Way agency (the Santa Clara County Council, Boy Scouts of America), rescued neighbors from burning house: Commendation from City of Saratoga; letter from Governor; Heroism Award from BSA
• 1990: Radioed for help for 12 struck by lightning on Mt. Whitney
• 1995: On 1-week backpack trip, used radio training to summon helicopter to evacuate adult with heart attack

Pre-Relay events pictures [250KB]

pictures/stories of the Relay [400 KB]

Story of the Torch

Read his summary of that wonderful evening [40 KB]

More information on the following sites:
Our Troop Home Page
Troop 566 "Heros"
Officer of the Inst. of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
The IEEE Home Page

Send comments to p.wesling@ieee.org || Last updated: 5 September 2004