Elder Wickman to receive Boy Scouts' Silver Buffalo

Elder Lance Wickman of the LDS Church Quorums of the Seventy, and a lifelong Scouter, will receive the prestigious Silver Buffalo Award this week.

He will accept the honor Friday in Orlando at the national annual meeting of the Boy Scouts of America.

Thirteen U.S. presidents, Hank Aaron, Neil Armstrong, Walt Disney, Charles Lindbergh, Gen. Colin Powell and LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson are among the many recipients of the award.

Much of Elder Wickman's six decades in Scouting have been spent strengthening the Boy Scouts' relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Silver Buffalo has been awarded annually since 1925 to civic-minded men and women for their contributions and service to youths. Elder Wickman is one of 11 Silver Buffalo recipients this year, including NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon.

An Eagle Scout, Elder Wickman, 68, has served as a Scoutmaster, an Explorer adviser, a Varsity Scout leader and president of the Desert Pacific Council. He previously received the Silver Beaver Award.

"Lance has dedicated his life to serving young people through the Boy Scouts at both the local and national levels," said Robert Mazzuca, chief Scout executive of the Boy Scouts of America. "The Silver Buffalo Award recognizes the immeasurable impact Lance has made on generations of young people in Utah."