Bevin honored as ‘Visionary’ at 6th annual awards banquet

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin was awarded the Daniel Boone Visionary Award last Thursday at a special ceremony in Corbin.

Many were in attendance at The Corbin Center  last Thursday evening for the Sixth Annual Daniel Boone “Visionary Award” banquet to honor this year’s recipient,  Kentucky Governor Matthew Bevin.

“I truly am not worthy to be considered among them and it is a tremendous honor. Thank you so much for this recognition,” said Bevin upon receiving his award from his fellow recipients.

The Daniel Boone “Visionary Award” is given each year to honor an outstanding citizen in the community. Governor Bevin was selected to receive the award by a special committee of The Mountain Laurel District of the Bluegrass Council of Boy Scouts. It is considered the district’s “highest honor.”

Bevin posed with past recipients of the award, including State Senate President Robert Stivers, Corbin Economic Development Director Bruce Carpenter, Bob Mitchell and Forcht Group of Kentucky founder Terry Forcht.

Past recipients include: Corbin’s Economic Development Director Bruce Carpenter, Forcht Group of Kentucky founder Terry Forcht, Former Congressional Aide Bob Mitchell, University of the Cumberlands President Dr. James Taylor and State Senate President Robert Stivers (R-Manchester).

DBVA recipient of 2015, Bruce Carpenter, introduced Bevin while applauding his energy level and overall passion for the state of Kentucky. Carpenter went on to express his immense satisfaction with Gov. Bevin’s progress during his short time in office.

“Governor Matt Bevin epitomizes the core Boy Scout values of honesty, integrity, responsibility that he has demonstrated just in his first six months in office,” said Carpenter. “These young people are our tomorrow. Governor Bevin is building a foundation that will ensure their inheritance is healthy, well educated, and a thriving economy.”

Governor Bevin began his acceptance speech by providing his vision for the state of Kentucky.

“It’s a simple vision. It is that we become the best version of ourselves that we can possibly be,” said Bevin. “If each we aspire to become the best version of ourselves, what a fantastic place this will be.”

During his speech, Bevin focused primarily on encouraging the Scouts to become leaders. He shared stories of his time growing up on his parent’s farm, going to college, and being an officer in the Army. All of which required him to serve and lead others, but to stand up for what he believed in as well. He challenged the youth to be bold, strong and prepared enough to know the right thing to do.

“When the right thing to do is to open your mouth and stand firm on the very principles that you take the pledge to uphold and defend to embody the scouts, be those young men,” said Bevin.

One component of Bevin’s speech was to reiterate that service comes in many forms. Bevin took the time to recognize those who served the event that evening, with a special recognition of a 92-year-old WWII veteran that was in attendance.

“There is nothing greater that you can do than to serve other people,” said Bevin.

Bevin also used his time to remind those in attendance of the abundance of resources that Kentucky holds, which he believes, get taken for granted. He described the importance of the state’s timber and coal industry, as well as the supply of natural flowing water. He said it is his vision to take advantage of these resources.

Bevin left those in attendance with a reminder to achieve H.I.T.S, an acronym he used for  humility, integrity, tenacity, service. Above all else, Bevin made it a point to instill leadership skills to the young scouts by providing them with positive encouragement and practical advice.

“My vision is that we will be the greatest versions of ourselves and that your generation will be prepared,” Bevin stated.

Also to speak at the event was Parker Frederick of Troop 488. Frederick was the Scout Speaker of this event and shared exactly what scouting meant to him. Josh Fryer, also of Troop 488, provided the services invocation.

Other events of the banquet included the presentation and retire of colors by Scout Troop 572, as well as a video presentation entitled Fifty Years of Misha Mokwa, which was introduced by Kirby Smith. Forcht Bank Market President Michael Sharpe served as Master of Ceremonies.

Forcht Group, Baptist Health, Operation UNITE, Union College and the University of the Cumberlands were some of the sponsors of this event.