In 1965, twin brothers Edwin and Erwin De Luna achieved Scouting’s highest rank—Eagle Scout—through the Alamo Area Council. Earning Eagle is never a small accomplishment. It requires leadership, perseverance, service to others, and the completion of rigorous advancement requirements. For two brothers to reach that milestone together speaks not only to their dedication, but to a shared foundation of character and purpose. Nearly six decades later, their lives continue to reflect the values they first strengthened as Scouts.
A Legacy That Began in 1965
Edwin and Erwin joined the proud ranks of Eagle Scouts during a formative era in Scouting history. Their achievement placed them among the early generations of Eagle Scouts in the Alamo Area Council—young men prepared to lead, serve, and give back to their community. The phrase “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle” is more than tradition. In the case of the De Luna brothers, it has proven to be a lifelong truth.
Erwin J. De Luna: Civic Leader, Cultural Advocate, Servant Leader
Erwin J. De Luna has built a lifetime of service that mirrors the Scout Oath and Law in action. After earning his Eagle Scout rank, Erwin went on to serve more than 21 years with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, beginning as a Medicaid eligibility specialist and later supervising within the Long Term Care Program. He retired in 2011 after a distinguished career helping administer programs that supported the health and well-being of Texans.
But his service did not stop there.
Erwin has served as President of the Board of Directors for the United San Antonio Pow Wow since 1997 and has dedicated decades to promoting and preserving American Indian traditions and culture. Of Navajo and Taos Pueblo ancestry, he has become a respected cultural ambassador, serving in leadership roles across numerous civic and community organizations.
In 2016–2017, he became President of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission—the first Native American to hold the position. His presidency marked a historic moment for representation within one of San Antonio’s most visible civic traditions. His military and civic contributions have also been formally recognized. He received the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal and the Commander’s Award for Public Service from United States Army North leadership. In 2022, he was honored as a Distinguished Quartermaster during the U.S. Army’s 247th birthday celebration at Fort Sam Houston.
Within Scouting, Erwin’s commitment has been equally profound. He is a Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association and a Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow. He has received the Silver Beaver Award, the District Award of Merit, the Scoutmaster Award of Merit, and numerous Catholic Scouting recognitions, each reflecting sustained, exceptional service to youth.
Erwin’s life demonstrates that Eagle Scout is not a final destination. It is a beginning.
Edwin De Luna: A Shared Foundation of Leadership
While public records provide fewer details about Edwin’s professional path, his achievement as an Eagle Scout alongside his twin brother remains a significant part of Alamo Area Council history. The shared experience of earning Eagle in 1965 reflects a family and community that valued leadership, discipline, and service. Together, the De Luna twins represent a generation shaped by Scouting’s call to responsibility, and a reminder that the impact of Scouting extends far beyond a single ceremony or rank advancement.
The Power of What Scouting Makes Possible
When we reflect on leaders like Edwin and Erwin De Luna, we are reminded that today’s Scouts are tomorrow’s judges, legislators, veterans, educators, and community leaders.
In November, we honored Lewis Kayton, the first known Eagle Scout of the Alamo Area Council, who was a young man who helped shape Scouting’s earliest days in South Texas. In February, we shared the story of Franklin S. Spears, whose Eagle Scout experience in 1945 became the foundation for a lifetime of leadership and service.
Now, in March, we recognize Edwin and Erwin De Luna, twin Eagle Scouts who earned their rank in 1965 and whose lives continue to reflect the values of Scouting decades later.
Three different eras. Three different paths. One consistent truth: Scouting builds leaders whose impact extends far beyond their youth.
Stories like these are not isolated moments in history, they are evidence of what Scouting consistently builds. Character. Commitment. A readiness to serve. And perhaps most importantly, a legacy that continues long after the uniform is folded away.
The 1912 Society: Investing in the Next Generation
The 1912 Initiative honors our founding year while investing in the future of Scouting. A monthly gift of $19.12 helps sustain programs that build character, teach leadership, and provide safe, meaningful experiences for thousands of local youth. These contributions help maintain camps, support volunteers, and remove financial barriers for families who might not otherwise be able to participate.
Supporting Scouting is not just an investment in a program, it is an investment in people.
As we honor the legacy of Eagle Scouts like Edwin and Erwin De Luna through the 1912 Initiative, we invite you to help ensure that every young person in our community has the same opportunity to discover their potential. Because when we invest in Scouting, we are shaping futures, strengthening communities, and building leaders one Scout at a time.
Text 1912 to 41444 or click here to join the 1912 Society and be part of Scouting’s next century of impact.
