Bob58

Quick notes... FOG, I ckecked snopes.com before posting and reread the post before hitting submit. Its a great story even if the West Pointer who wrote it highlighted the disobedience of an order. If you want to make these soldiers derelicts that's your business take it elsewhere. At ;east people will get to see the story before they get tied up im your negativity. Hops, let it go. I've said it before "some people aren't happy unless they're making other people unhappy." BW, Thanks for posting the clarification, as I said I had checked & chose to passs on what I rec'd. I don't do chain e-mails, but I often delete the instant miracle or rewards promises and pass on the stories. (Kinda like Scoutmaster's Minutes or maybe even parables (at the risk of being politically incorrect?) Bob

I rec'd this today from my kid brother; His Father-in-law USMA 1967 fwd'd it. Subject: usma1967: This is what makes me proud Dear Classmates & Friends, When I returned from Fairfax on the 20th, my wife mentioned that she'd heard this on ABC news. Rob > ---------- > In case you haven't seen this ......... > The Third Infantry Regiment at Fort Myer has the responsibility for > providing ceremonial units and honor guards for state occasions, White > House social functions, public celebrations and interments at Arlington > National Cemetery....and standing a very formal sentry watch at the Tombs > of the Unknowns. The public is familiar with the precision of what is > called "walking post" at the Tombs. There are roped off galleries where > visitors can form to observe the troopers and their measured step and > almost mechanical silent rifle shoulder changes. They are relieved every > hour in a very formal drill that has to be seen to believe. Some people > think that when the Cemetery is closed to the public in the evening that > this show stops. First, to the men who are dedicated to this work...it is > no show...it is a "charge of honor". The formality and precision continues > uninterrupted all night. During the nighttime, the drill of relief and the > measured step of the on-duty sentry remain unchanged from the daylight > hours. To these men...these special men, the continuity of this post is > the key to the honor and respect shown to these honored dead, symbolic of > all American unaccounted for American combat dead. The steady rhythmic > step in rain, sleet, snow, hail, hot, cold...bitter > cold...uninterrupted...uninterrupted is the important part of the honor > shown. Last night, while you were sleeping, the teeth of hurricane Isabel > came through this area and tore hell out of everything... We have > thousands of trees down...power outages...traffic signals out...roads > filled with down limbs and "gear adrift" debris...We have flooding...and > the place looks like it has been the impact area of an off shore > bombardment. The Regimental Commander of the U.S. Third Infantry sent word > to the nighttime Sentry Detail to secure the post and seek shelter from > the high winds, to ensure their personal safety. THEY DISOBEYED THE > ORDER...During winds that turned over vehicles and turned debris into > projectiles...the measured step continued. One fellow said "I've got > buddies getting shot at in Iraq who would kick my butt if word got to them > that we let them down...I sure as hell have no intention of spending my > Army career being known as the idiot who couldn't stand a little light > breeze and shirked his duty." .... Then he said something in response to a > female reporters question regarding silly purposeless personal risk...."I > wouldn't expect you to understand, it's an enlisted man's thing." > God Bless the rascal...In a time in our nation's history when spin seems > to have become the accepted coin-of-the-realm, there beat hearts...the > enlisted hearts we all knew and were so damn proud to be a part of...that > fully understand that devotion to duty is not a part time occupation. > While we slept, we were represented by some damn fine men who fully > understood their post orders and proudly went about their assigned > responsibilities unseen, unrecognized and in the finest tradition of the > American Enlisted Man. Folks, there's hope.... The gene that George S. > Patton...Arliegh Burke and Jimmy Doolittle left us...survives. Now, go > have another cup to pop rivet your eyelids I've got to go to work. DN > From a subvet friend in our nation's capital > ...More.... Nina Swink adds..... > On the ABC evening news, it was reported tonight that, because of the > dangers from Hurricane Isabel approaching Washington DC, the military > members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were > given permission to suspend the assignment. They refused. "No way, Sir!" > Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they > said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment; it was the highest > honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been > patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930. Addition to this e: I saw an > interview on Fox News Channel with the Commander of the soldiers who guard > the Tomb of the unknown. He took the shift when Isabel was unleashing her > fury, cause he did not want to ask any of his men to do this - he felt it > was his highest honor to be on duty during that time. Very, very proud of > our persons in uniform!!!!!! I don't usually suggest that e-mails be > forwarded, but I'd be DAMN proud if this one reached as many as possible. >

Just feeding the fire... the area in question is in my council but another district. Their Key 3 raise the saame questions each year when we kick off. I see the conflict w/ United way as an issue that could hurt this Council depending on the fundraising Blackout period. I would have no problem w/ Show & Sell if we knew it was an option. Should it be available to all councils / units? DS I hadn't even thought about the tax implications. I don't really thinkl that I want to go there.

Try this to set things popping... Living in a corner of the council that is a taxfree "bedroom community" for the biggest city in the next council. Scouts from across state lines set up tables at the supermarket & mall selling the popcorn itself. Our council never even mentions preordering and selling the popcorn upfront but apparently it is possible. Any insights Man o' Steele? (I know our state takes their sales taxes by building the malls etc but a lot of people who work there live here.) Just for fun... If you know what a bedroom community is you are (a) a geagrapher (b) a politician © Rob or Laura Petrie.) Bob is old enough to remember, are you?

Interesting, the proposition was "a family campout", the SPL & ASPL reponse was "We don't want mom's along on our camping trips" and most of the tribal elders around this campfire have followed the boys lead instead of redirecting the conversation. They might not want the Moms (That is what they said.) They might not want the younger siblings. Or they might want to do the planning. Several posters have suggested viable alternatives, I'd consider telling the that the Troop commityee would like them to plan such an activity. (Please don't get me wrong but do the Boys plan & execute everything in every unit except the one in which I hold membership?)

Bob does not always use spell check... my friend claimed.... Regrets, Bob

I had a frined who claimned that "Bob always clears legal" meanng that it always okay to use the name Bob -- no famous BAD GUYS or other reasons not to use the name. This time Bob really came through for me (another Bob!) Had occasion to visit my local scout shop today, and very fine scout shop it is! I asked Bob if he had ever heard of Memorial Stars for unit flags and he had to admit that he hadn't... but he did whip out a "2003-2005 uniform & Insignia Guide"(sic)and he found it!. BSA publication # 3017633066 (or is that just the "bar code"?) The star itself is item # 11117 & it may be affixed tgo units flags in memory of members of the unit who dies in the service of their country. (Someone w/ the Insignia Guide might be able to provide more info (the shop's copier was down.) I hope this helps... Bob (the other one)

Hey, why is everything so w i d e for this thread? My heart says it reflects the w i d e diversity of opinion in the forum; my head says someeone found a new (divers) formatting option. Lets' mind our manners.

A more serious reply than my first... IMHO If you are going to sit on boards of review you owe the scout the courtesy of dressing for the occasion. We actually have quite a few parents who drop in when they drop off or come in early to catch the closing. Everyone stands for the closin, should we all be in uniform? (Pardon me while I season the foot I am about to place in my mouth....) One of our Scouters who chaired many an Eagle BOR came directly from his law office and often wore his suit while convening the board. He remains an active Scouter and I have never heard anyone in the Scouting community comment upon it. There aren't to many activities that are more Scout related than that one. While I'm delighted to hear from or see President Bush at public functions (especially scout events) I'm always more comfortable when I see him accept a jacket or hat when he arrives on the stage (or flight deck.) I suppose that it has to do with accepting that there are times when BEING a Scout (or Commander in Chief) might be more important than looking the part. Call me fickle -- give the Scouts credit they can understand levels of involvement. (That doesn't mean that they won't test US!) Bob

The latest reqs are found at http://www.usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/a-s.html . (A link to the old reqs is provided on th page above.) They are not (or at least were not) published in the regular leaders edition of Sports & Academic (Belt Loop / Pins book) because they can only be earned in camp. "The BB shooting loop and pin can be awarded only by a certified Cub Scout BB gun shooting director at a BSA approved camp. Info re training in particular... "At camp, boys might have an opportunity to take part in a BB-gun (rifle) safety and marksmanship program under the direction of a trained BB-gun range officer. These range officers must attend a three-hour training program conducted by a National Camping School-certified field sports director or National Rifle Association (NRA) instructor." (This is excerpted from the site listed above. It is in the following context.) Bob "...Training is essential in learning how to shoot well, and safe shooting habits developed early help provide the atmosphere for learning these skills. Gun-shooting sports are not an approved part of the Cub Scout program, except at Cub Scout day or resident camp. At camp, boys might have an opportunity to take part in a BB-gun (rifle) safety and marksmanship program under the direction of a trained BB-gun range officer. These range officers must attend a three-hour training program conducted by a National Camping School-certified field sports director or National Rifle Association (NRA) instructor. Although gun-shooting sports are not permitted as den and pack activities, leaders can help parents understand the importance of training and encourage attendance of boys at Cub Scout day camps that offer this training. " Page updated on: June 09, 2003 Materials found at the U. S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. Website 1997-2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- a

FOG & Laurie, you beat met to a GRAY AREA post. Nicely done.

Our Council strongly discourages Chartered organizations from allowing a single individual to serve as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and/or Crew Advisor. Never looked it up... it makes sense to me!) They tolerate a single person serving as Chairman of multiple units, but "I" think that the units need truly independent but complementary Committees. (This qualifies as muddying the water not stirring the pot.)

Our boys (parent's) keep at least one CURRENT copy of each Merit badge booklet by checking copyright dates whenever someone starts a badge. I can't remember a parent asking twice if anyone might have borrowed one that is not on the shelf. Many show up w/ the troop number on the inside of the cover rarely does a boy even put his name in the ones he's donated. I think its just another case of how they can give back in a quiet way. Someone/something is getting through to these guys.

...possibly better than Mark Russell though!

We invite parents on a quarterly basis, Sometime in the Fall, Scout Sunday, last reg meeting of the "school year" and Unit picnic after Summer Camp. Sometimes we'll have punch & cookies for the Fall / Spring, but not always. We tend to group Advancements and Merit Badges separately. Often a number of our boys work on badges together and recently we've commented on some aspect of a particular merit badge & asked all boys who earned that badge to come forward together. (It can be quite a cross section of the troop. Great to see the older boys take a shot at some of the easier badges that they missed along the way; even better to know that they helped the yoiunger boys to knock out a toughie.) This often means that we don't notice the same boys getting up for multiple badges... 'everyone got up a coupla times!" I make a point of not worrying about "alphabetical order" as Laura noted they know that they earned the badge! Adavancements are also grouped. Depending on the variety of ranks inthe troop & range of awards to be presented we save the highest (or lowest) for last. Its always great to see the crowd really breakout in applause for a young man who is being recognized in front of his ( & other ) parents. Sometimes we build to the Life Scout, at other times we'll save the Scout or Tenderfot patches for last. For these they are called forward alone except for one or both parents. The CoH should meet the needs of your unit! Bob

looks like it might be time for me to step aside... but seriously I imagine that w/ the right resources you might route 5 or 6 dens trhrough a single 6 pc's throughout the afternoon. As Phillip noted you can "meet" people from al over the world, but be warned Time zones can be tricky! Thanks AK-Eagle! Bob

FOG, Thamnks for the (un)common sense. At a religious committe meeting recently a leader raised the question of whether it was appropriate to Celebrate a Catholic Mass in camp since the Church now recommends communion be rec'd in both forms (bread & wine.) My short answer was there is no reason not to have a religious celebration but elect to limit receiving from the to the priest. (This was common for many years.) My local curmudgeon then asked how one would keep the boys from the wine outside of Mass. Some people aren't happy unless they making other people confused or unhappy. Bob

Where's Dave this morning? This is the kind of problem a DE should find on his desk every Monday. CRG8, Anne is dead on. This is a question for your Committee and possibly PL Council. Congratulations! It sounds as if you have the respect & admiration of many of the packs in your area. Now the tough part... would you be willing to help other troops grow? I'd never really turn away a boy ( or even an interested adult) but what is your honest appraisal of your neighboring units? Would they (1) be able to provide a quality program to a larger number of boys? (2) benefit from developing a relationshop w/ feeder packs? Those are two important considerations beyond how your unit will respond. You might choose to share wealth & grow the program at the troop / district level. Again, Well Done. Keep on Scouting! Bob

Thanks for feeding the fire. I gathered the tinder on Saturday before I started chores outside & never got back to my pc until this a.m. SilverShark's link looked good & I'll try to pull more on JOTI. As I noted we've never run it as a unit activity., but it sure seems to have potential. Bob

Just a quick note to Scouts & Scouters online that I'll be looking for info re this years Jamboree of the Internet & Jamboree of the Air(waves) in the next few days. (I remember the Ham hookups from when I was kid.) I stumbled across the Internet activity three years ago & have participated on a personal basis ever since. Many units have been able to get a # of PC's together or sign up to use library or school resources. I haven't been able to sell "the" Pack and troop on it yet, so I don't have any more experience than at this keyboard! My recollection is that the Internet program runs the third weekend of October but I might be mistaken. I'll put up links as soon as I get good info; if anyone else has already teed off "Please, play through!" Bob

Sorry, I don't want to be misinterpreted -- we have had at least one female advisor present at each meeting or activity. (I mentioned hiing in particular.)

Good Morning! Great questions Trailpounder. Our boys are all 16 or older, those who were/are Boy Scouts are at least first class. 2 of the girls are high school sophmores this fall, 14 yrs. old; other three are Seniors or College aged Do you have co-ed Crews? Yes, 5 of the 17 members are of the female persuasion. The crew took off when 4 of our older scouts realized that their future in Scoutingn was "limited" to adult leadership - they wanted to continue planning & leading from the youth side. Do the female Venturers go backpacking? Three of the girls have hiked w/ us; we haven't backpacked to/from camps (yet.) All of the guys in the crew are at least first class although that doesn't require or preclude either of MB's that you mentioned. (Hikes, yes; MB's, no.) I'm not sure where the crew is on this, I expect we will address it this fall. (Our Troop only backpacks about twice a year & some of the Boy Scouts from the crew have joined us for that.) ...combat load, how do the young ladies cope? See above, so far they haven't planned an overnighter where we packed in/out. Secondly, do you gentlemen have a female associate advisor who pounds the trail with you? When hiking, yes. Three women advisors have signed up. One has a nephew in the crew and attended Blue Rocks (Hamburg, PA?) even though he was unable to do so. (This was car camping with a daylong hike on Saturday.) Our crew will eveolve, no doubt about it. At this point I'd say that the focus is a blend of Youth Ministry and Outdoors. Some of our members are pushing to pursue the Ranger requirements, especially the younger girls. I can see the Scouts insisting that it stay true to the aims of Scouting while opening the door to outdoor activities and service by the girls who join.

Thanks to Dave for kicking this one off. Like scoutldr I'm especially partial to those who don't have the day off. Thank you to all who will work today so that we can enjoy the day in comfort & security. For the young people who use this site.... Today, the day off reminds relatively few Americans of the role that organized labor played in our history. (Does anyone else remember union, or company, picnics & parades?) First celebrated in the 1880's on a relatively small scale, the holiday is now taken for granted by almost all workers. Regardless of politics, most Americans recognize that the labor movement led to a 40 hr. week & improved working conditions. I think that the following link is to a US Dept. of Labor site... http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm My grandfather, a leatherworker, died in an industrial accident in 1925 (non-union & pre-OSHA) & Dad spent 17 yrs on "the Pennsy" (Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen?) before spending 40+ more in public service - non-union.

Activities that work.... for our new co-ed unit its whatever they plan! They wanted to start before 12/31/02 so we did the paperwork & went Christmas Caroling the Sat. night between Christmas & New YEars. Two weeks later we were cabin camping & touring Valley Forge. Another two weeks & they were out in the snow assisting at the District Klondike. The crew camps meets twice a month, camps every other month on its own, and plans something different for the non-camping mnths. Shooting has been popular. Most of our older boys have climbing on their lists, the girls like the idea of canoeing /kayaking. But nothing surprises me. They're looking forward to district / council events. Time to survey the youth.

Nickname & year of birth.... the poet in me listed "tween the bays" for loacation because I hail from that DelMarVa-lous council just south of Chester County & Cradle of Liberty. Some say there is no life west of the Chesapeake Bay... other just say its better on the Eastern Shore. ( Does everyone realize that Delaware is the other bay I refer to? No, not Dela Where?) Bob