The Moore District and the Occoneechee Council of the Boys Scouts of America have announced that this year's recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Award is Donald C. Van Roosen.

A dinner and ceremony honoring Van Roosen will take place Feb. 25 at the Country Club of North Carolina. This will be the ninth annual Moore District Distinguished Citizen Award banquet.

Van Roosen moved to Pinehurst in 1998 from Cape Cod. A graduate of Harvard University, he enjoyed a long and successful career in the chemical engineering industry and was associated with Gaulin Corporation, Columbia Precision and Aptlicon during the span of his career.

While he was based in the Boston area throughout those years, his career endeavors were international in scope.

Van Roosen was a highly decorated solider who served in World War II. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and was honored with numerous awards, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He subsequently served in the U.S. Army reserves.

An Eagle Scout, Van Roosen also has long been active in Scouting, having served in a variety of leadership capacities. He has received a number of Scouting awards.

Since coming to Pinehurst, Van Roosen has been fully engaged in local community service, including taking an active role with United Way, serving on the Pinehurst Planning and Zoning Board and chairing the Water Committee.

"Don Van Roosen has unselfishly made a lifelong commitment to his community and to Scouting in addition to bravely serving his country," said Bill Eastman, major gifts chairman for the Occoneechee Council. "He epitomizes the very type of deserving individual we seek to honor with the Distinguished Citizen Award."

Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for the event can contact Frank McNeill Jr. at (910) 944-2329.

Proceeds will be applied toward the annual Friends of Scouting Campaign, which is focused on the continued delivery of a quality program and experience for Boy Scouts.