October 2002
Winning photographs are inspiring
I don't write to many publications, but I had to let you know how much I appreciated the "Capture the Spirit of Scouting" photo contest winners in the March-April 2002 issue. All the photos were wonderfully moving and sincere tributes to the hard work, dedication, and character of the leaders, parents, and the Scouts.
 Photograph by Tom Copeland Jr. |
I was particularly affected by the photo from Troop 109, Greensboro, N.C. [showing Bill Gatewood transporting fellow Eagle Scout Joe Perkins, who has a spinal condition, around the 2001 National Jamboree in a two-wheel cart].
The picture is truly reflective of Scouts displaying Scout Spirit and living the Scout Law. At our next troop meeting, I presented the positive efforts, attitudes, and friendship of those two Scouts as good examples for our boys to follow on their trail to Eagle Scout.
As a leader, I'm thankful that Scouts [like Bill Gatewood and Joe Perkins] will take our place and carry the Scouting tradition into the future.
Tom Laird
Scoutmaster, Troop 149
Philipsburg, Pa.
Remembering 'Lucky Lindy'
May 21, 2002, marked the 75th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's 1927 historic solo flight from New York to Paris. After the flight, he endorsed the Boy Scouts at a reception at Washington, D.C. Scouts then contributed to his subsequent good-will tour across the United States, Mexico, and Central America, dealing with the immense and often undisciplined crowds that met Lindbergh everywhere.
In Lone Scout of the Sky, published by the BSA in 1928, Chief Scout Executive James E. West wrote, "The occasion was used by many Scout councils to give Scouts the thrill of receiving their Eagle Badges and other Scout honors from the hands of the distinguished Honorary Scout."
I would be interested in hearing the memories of anyone who participated in these events as a Boy Scout. I recently had the privilege of speaking with a 91-year-old Eagle Scout who described vividly the day Charles Lindbergh visited his state.
Margaret Eiluned Morgan
(Niece of Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh)
Fort Myers Beach, Fla.
mcemorgan@email.msn.com
Taxidermy merit badge?
An Eagle Scout in our community does taxidermy and said that he earned the Taxidermy merit badge when he was in Scouting. Some of our Scouts would like to earn a Taxidermy badge with his help. Is there one now?
Blake Warren
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 71
Newton, N.C.
One of the original 57 merit badges first offered by the BSA in 1911, Taxidermy required a Scout to know his state's game laws, "preserve and mount the skin of a game bird, or animal, killed in season," and "mount for a rug the pelt of some fur animal." Taxidermy was discontinued in 1952, along with a number of other merit badges from the original 57, including Carpentry, Stalking, Interpreting, and Blacksmithing.
It pays to recycle printer cartridges
Since January 2001, Troop 464 in Minooka, Ill. (population 3,500) has helped homes, businesses, and schools recycle ink jet printer and fax cartridges. We distribute prepaid mailers to family and friends to send empty cartridges to AAA Environmental, Inc., Morton Grove, Ill., and we receive $1 for each acceptable cartridge (not generic or remanufactured).
We've raised several hundred dollars, with a minimal time investment or cost. The troop gains dollars, the Scouts connect with their community, anyone can participate, and it makes good ecological sense.
Troops can learn more at AAA Environmental's Web site, www.aaaenvironmentalinc.com, or by calling (847) 583-1215.
Craig A Nemitz
Troop 464
Minooka, Ill.
Copyright © 2002 by the Boy Scouts of America. All rights thereunder reserved; anything appearing in Scouting magazine or on its Web site may not be reprinted either wholly or in part without written permission. Because of freedom given authors, opinions may not reflect official concurrence.
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