For many, March 29 is just another click on the calendar.
For James and Amanda Thomas, it’s a harrowing reminder of a difficult day back in 2023, when — during a challenging training mission — two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed in western Trigg County, killing nine Fort Campbell soldiers just a few miles from Cadiz.
Himself a CW4 Black Hawk medevac pilot for Charlie Company, 6-101st GSAB, Amanda said James was flying a two-ship over Land Between the Lakes that particular evening when radio communications confirmed the worst.
That night, she added, was possibly “the rock bottom” of her husband’s career, and ever since, she said they have made it a familial obligation to honor and keep their memory of “The Nine” alive.
She, unofficially, maintains the Fort Campbell 9 memorial on post, making sure it’s clean and presentable for visitors and locals alike.
And when the boots display comes around, they make sure the patches are just so on those particular pairs.
This past Spring Break, she started asking one question: “How could she involve Scouts BSA?”
Turns out, fairly easily, effectively and emotionally.
Combining the merit badge requirements of Hiking and Military Service & Veterans, Troop 3013 out of Hopkinsville — a proud co-ed unit — recently marched 10 miles from the Shaw Physical Fitness Center and through old Clarksville where nuclear weapons were once stored.
Along the way, and after each completed mile, James shared something about each of the nine — culminating with a final stop: the Nine Eagles Memorial in Fort Campbell.
Amanda said they completed their hike two days after the ceremonies were held on the installation, meaning the memorial still had its flowers and other mementos in place.
So, what ties the Thomas family to scouting in Hopkinsville? Well, they have had their daughter in scouting for years, and needed a place for her to land when it was time to bridge over into older groups.
At the time, Fort Campbell didn’t have a co-ed unit ready for acceptance. Hopkinsville did.
Scoutmaster Don Kaufmann, whose daughter recently earned Christian County’s first Eagle Scout as a young woman, said the hike was “beyond beneficial” for the kids, and he would explore the humble gesture again.
Kaufmann also confirmed that the Military Service & Veterans merit badge remains in the “test lab,” so they tried their best to meet its requirements.
Kaufmann said they have about 20 kids in their group, with the scouts trying to “lead themselves” through events, topics and planning meals and outings together.
