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Archives for May 2024

Scouts meet Former President during Annual Memorial Day Service Event!

May 29, 2024 by Mickey Nemier

Photo submitted by Troop 1107

Members of Troops 1107B/G gathered at Alexandria National Cemetery for the Troops’ annual Memorial Day service event, placing flags and flowers on each of the graves of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Photo taken by Robyn Wass

Former President Barack Obama was also in attendance, speaking prior to the distribution and honoring several service members by placing flags on their final resting places. According to the  Military Times, there are more than 4,000 graves at Alexandria National Cemetery, and typically, a president is not part of the event put on by the Veterans of Foreign War Post 609.

Photo submitted by Troop 1107

Obama said, also according to Military Times, “One of the greatest honors of my life was the privilege of serving as commander-in-chief, and with pride also came sometimes heartbreak and loss.”

He added, “And the sober recognition of the sacrifices that so many Americans and their families have made to preserve our freedom. As we go out here, I hope that we just reflect and say a prayer for and say thanks for those who came before us. And for those of you who are still serving those of you who may be serving in the future, thanks to you as well.”

Photo taken by Natalie Dreier

Thomas (TJ) D. of Troop 1107B in the Colonial District was among the members who first handed out the flags and flowers to other volunteers before placing them on the graves himself. He said of the annual event, “I do the flags every year to honor the people who give their life for this country, and this is a way to honor them each year with the Flags In and Wreaths Across America.”

TJ met Mr. Obama after the event. Although the former president was leaving, Obama took a moment to shake TJ’s hand and spent a few minutes talking with him about being a Scout and earning an Eagle.

Photo taken by Robyn Wass

Victoria W. of Troop 1107G said, “Being at the Memorial Day remembrance was a very special and significant thing for people, and especially for me as a scout to do. Memorial Day is more about remembering those who died to save us and our country and making sure that they receive the respect and admiration that they worked so hard to earn. Even with the surprise and exciting visit from former President Obama, I think the main focus was on those who had their names inscribed on the tombstones, with flags and flowers in honor of them lying there as well. I am very proud that we got to help, whether it be handing out flowers and flags or laying/placing those flags and flowers on the graves. I am thankful for all the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, and appreciative that I was invited to help show my gratitude.”

Troop 1107G’s Sophie W. said, “I thought putting the flags and flowers by the graves was important because we were honoring the people who served in the military and who died while serving. It felt good to know that we were able to honor them. I also thought it was really cool that former President Obama was there. I haven’t met a President before and not a lot of people get to meet one. It was cool that I was standing about six feet from a former President!”

Photo submitted by Troop 1107

Her brother Sean W., a Cub Scout in Pack 867, said, “I wanted to help put flags in because it’s like the wreath-laying we did last December. We are remembering the people who died serving our country, and that’s important. It was exciting to see former President Obama. I wish I could have gotten his autograph and shaken his hand.”

Photo taken by Robyn Wass

Troop 1107B’s Troop Guide, Caleb W., said, “Placing the flags and flowers on each grave illustrated the Scout Law that all Scouts should live by. “The Scout Law emphasizes reverence as one of the most important parts of a Scout’s life, while we were honoring the sacrifices of all the men and women who had made the ultimate sacrifice. The experience of meeting former President Obama was cool, and although he previously held presidential office, that day he was just like us, just there to give back to those who gave everything.”

According to the cemetery’s website, Alexandria National Cemetery was one of the first 14 national cemeteries created in 1862. Its graves date back to the Civil War. Within two years, the cemetery was nearly filled, leading to the creation of Arlington National Cemetery. To read more about the cemetery and some of the notable people buried there, visit the cemetery’s website.

Filed Under: Adventure

Potomac District has 4 new Eagle Scouts in May!

May 21, 2024 by Stanley Kwok

Congratulations to the 4 NCAC Potomac District Eagle Scouts and their proud parents. Thank you so much to all those who assisted these Life Scouts along their journey to reach the Eagle Scout rank!

The following websites might be of interest to some:

OA Eagle Scout Congratulatory Letter

Eagle, Summit, Quartermaster, and Gold Congratulation Letters

Summit Award Congratulatory Letter

The Association of Top Achiever Scouts

ATAS is a worldwide Scouting fellowship group of Scouts and Scouters who have achieved the highest rank as youth in their Scout associations, such as King’s Scout, Queen’s Scout, President’s Scout, Fuji Scout, Eagle Scout, etc.

 

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week

Scout Wins Sons of the American Revolution Essay Contest – George Washington Chapter

May 21, 2024 by Carla Brown

Troop 1577 Eagle Scout Russell Welland was recognized by the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution on May 11. He participated in the Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest, and his essay was chosen for recognition by this chapter. At their monthly meeting, he read his essay and received a $500 scholarship.

To participate in this contest, Eagle Scouts write a 500-word essay about an aspect of the American Revolution. They must also document their family tree for four generations. In addition, they can earn additional points if they have earned these merit badges: American Heritage, Genealogy, and Law.

Russell’s essay was about Daniel Morgan from Virginia. Morgan fought in many battles, but he is most famous for the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina. This was a turning point that shifted the war in favor of the Patriots. It helped the Patriot Army change their strategy for how to better engage militiamen (the untrained volunteers) to win in traditional field battles.

As part of his application, Russell earned his American Heritage merit badge with Jim Quinn. Mr. Quinn is an excellent merit badge counselor who also worked with Russell on his Railroading merit badge.

If you are interested in this contest, click here. The George Washington Chapter’s website is here.

The contest is open to all Eagle Scouts until they turn 18 years old.

Photo by Thomas Roth, SAR

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week, Scouting Programs

Scouting C.A.R.E.S visits the Naval Academy!

May 10, 2024 by Mickey Nemier

On May 2nd, Scouting C.A.R.E.S. Pack 2700 out of St. Francis Xavier in Southeast, D.C., took their end-of-the-year Scouting field trip to the United States Naval Academy. The students experienced a top university that’s also an active military establishment. The Scouts were lucky enough to participate in marching, naval jargon, and saluting exercises. They were also given a brief tour of the campus athletic facilities, which they absolutely loved. The highlight for Pack 2700 was getting the civilian boats to honk their horns, which sent the Scouts into a frenzy.

“This experience should have a lasting impact on Pack 2700,” commented Michael Fazio, Scouting C.A.R.E.S. Director.

 

 

Filed Under: Scouting Programs

Scouting Growth Necessitates Expanding Local Presence

May 8, 2024 by Cynthia Griffiths

NCAC Markets Two Properties for Sale

WASHINGTON, DC (MAY 8, 2024) – Responding to the changing population trends throughout the Washington, D.C. region and acting on the goal of further expanding Scouting opportunities for our regions youth, National Capital Area Council, BSA (NCAC) has set a course to carefully direct resources and efforts to best serve its mission and the community.

Scouting in the Washington, D.C. region is experiencing continued growth from Frederick, Maryland to Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Recognizing the need to be more accessible to its expanding membership, NCAC has commenced a realignment of its real estate that will result in multiple administrative office/Scout Store locations in the Region.

This realignment is as follows:

The lease at the Scout Store in Springfield, Virginia has been extended. This is one of the most successful Scout Stores in the entire nation and it will continue to serve our mission and membership.

The 21.5-acre parcel located on Route 66 in Haymarket, Virginia will be marketed for sale.  This parcel has no utility for NCAC’s mission nor programs, and has zero connection to Camp William B. Snyder, geographic or otherwise. JLL has been retained to market this site for sale.

The location of the Marriott Scout Service Center (MSSC) (9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda Maryland) is no longer optimal to serving the changing needs of our membership and volunteers. One or more new locations will serve the needs of the Council, while being more convenient for our membership. CPG Realty, LLC has been retained to market this property for sale.

Both MSSC and Haymarket are experiencing historically high values, the sale of each will contribute to the funding for NCAC to locate facilities such as administrative offices, training spaces, and retail stores based on the geographic distribution of NCAC stakeholders throughout the Washington DC Beltway and beyond, now and in the future.

These decisions have been made with the singular purpose of better serving and supporting current and future Scouts, their families, and dedicated volunteers by expanding NCAC’s footprint throughout the region.

From the Spring of 1911 when Boy Scout units were first formed at the YMCA Building on G Street, NW in Washington, D.C. through the next nine locations in the District of Columbia before moving to Bethesda, Maryland in 1974, the NCAC has progressively moved Scouting programs and youth access forward by relocating their administrative and retail commercial spaces.

“We are excited to embark on this next chapter of NCAC’s history,” stated Council Chief Executive Officer, Mario Pérez. “The population centers have expanded outward during the last 50 years and our families and leaders want convenient locations that meet their needs.”

# # #

 About BSA and the National Capital Area Council

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®” The Scouting organization is composed of more than 1 million youth members between the ages of 5 and 21 and more than 477,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. Since its inception in 1910, more than 130 million young men and women have participated in the BSA’s youth programs. More than 35 million adult volunteers have helped carry out the BSA’s mission. The BSA announced that it will rebrand to Scouting America, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcome every youth and family in America to experience the benefits of Scouting. The change will go into effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th anniversary. For more information, please visit www.Scouting.org.

National Capital Area Council (NCAC) was organized in 1911 and today stands as one of the oldest and the largest councils in America. Scouts from NCAC perform in excess of 400,000 hours of community service each year. The Council territory includes the District of Columbia; Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland; and in Virginia the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, Stafford, and Culpeper as well as the independent cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, Manassas Park and Fredericksburg in Virginia; the U.S. Virgin Islands; and US Scouting families living abroad in North, Central, and South America. For more information, please visit www.NCACBSA.org.

Filed Under: Press Releases

The History & Archives Committee’s Scout History Reception and Museum Unveiling

May 7, 2024 by Mickey Nemier

On May 6th, 2024, The History & Archives Committee held a Scout History Reception at the Mariott Scout Service Center – unveiling a spectacular display of Scout Historic Memorabilia, the largest display ever at any Council Office! The History Committee strives to preserve and protect local and national Scouting History – to educate future generations about Scouting’s rich heritage and service and its many positive contributions to the community and the nation, whether it be through programs like H.O.S.T Hikes (History Of Scouting Trail), H.O.S.T.I.N.G (Helping Other Scout Troops Incorporate Needed Gear) or holding events like this reception!
Here are some photos from the museum:
    

A huge thanks to Michael Groover, the Vice-Chair & Master of Ceremonies, who worked very hard setting up all the displays, which definitely paid off.

It doesn’t end there because National Scout Families celebrities were also present!
These Guests of Honor include:
Ann Hornaday, granddaughter of William T. Hornaday, which the now Distinguished Service Conservation Award had been initially named after.
Charity Goodman, granddaughter of E. Urner Goodman, one of the founders of the Order of the Arrow.
Julia Seton, the granddaughter of Ernest Thompson Seton, donated 500 medals to start the History Award at NCAC.
Kellye French, Conservation Chairwoman and BSA trainer, donated a photo of the BSA Indie Car signed by its driver, Dale Coyne (As seen below).

 

 

Filed Under: Leaders

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