Boy Scout Jamboree returns to Fort A.P. Hill

ARNEWS ^ | July 19, 2005 | Rey Guzman

[SandRat]

Boy Scout Jamboree returns to Fort A.P. Hill

By Rey Guzman
July 19, 2005

FORT A.P. Hill, Va. (Army News Service, July 18, 2005) – Thousands of Boy Scouts from across the nation will navigate their way to Fort A.P. Hill, Va., for the 2005 National Scout Jamboree July 25 through Aug. 3.

More than 42,000 Boy Scouts and adult leaders, along with an additional 270,000 visitors, are expected to convene at the 10-day, national event conducted every four years by the Boys Scouts of America.

About 2,000 Soldiers from the active Army, Army Reserve and National Guard, and an additional 200 members of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard will be on-hand to support the event.

The theme for this year’s National Scout Jamboree is “On My Honor – Timeless Values.”

In a welcome letter to Army units attending the event, Maj. Gen. John A. Yingling, commander of Joint Task Force-National Scout Jamboree, noted the similarity of the Army’s values with those of the Boy Scouts.

“The Army embodies the seven Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity and personal courage,” Yingling said. “The Boy Scouts embody the Scout Laws (to be) trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. I have every confidence that each of you will live up to these values and be good role models to the Scouts while we support them during the Jamboree.”

The event is widely considered by Army officials as an excellent opportunity to sharpen the skills of Regular, Reserve and National Guard troops as they build a “tent city” equipped for more than 40,000 inhabitants.

In order to accommodate the large number of guests, Soldiers engage in various tasks from road building to installing water, sewer, electrical and telephone systems.

Fort A.P. Hill has been the site of the National Scout Jamboree since 1981. Among the many military units supporting this year’s event are the 61st Medical Group, 1710th Transportation Company of the Virginia National Guard, U.S Coast Guard Sea Services and 159th Aviation of the Army National Guard.

Scout leaders and members of Joint Task Force-National Scout Jamboree will attend a special Staff Show June 25, two nights before the arrival of the young scouts. The show will feature a Twilight Tattoo performed by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (Old Guard) and the U.S. Army Band (Perishing’s Own).

The official jamboree festivities kick off in grand fashion with an opening show July 27. The U.S. Navy Leap Frogs, Army Reserve 85th Division Jazz Ensemble and the Continental Army Band from Fort Monroe, Va., will perform during the opening night celebration, along with a military fly-over.

The Closing Show, scheduled for Aug. 3, will feature performances by the Army’s Old Guard Fife and Drum Corp, U.S. Army Brass Quintet, U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet Band and Downrange U.S. Army Rock Band. The event will also include another military fly-over and close with a fireworks show.

In his letter, Yingling urged Soldiers to enjoy their opportunity to make a positive impact on the young Scouts attending.

“I guarantee that you will find this experience both personally and professionally rewarding,” he said. “Take full advantage of this great opportunity to train and make a positive impact on young people’s lives.”

 

[LibertarianLiz]

Maj. Gen. John A. Yingling,

Okay, this is this guy's name? Honest?

[Tax-chick]

"It's fun to sing when you sing with the Ying. My Ying can sing like anything!"

It's like Yuengling, the brewery.

[RonF]

Small Troops do give all the Scouts a chance for leadership. Our Troop has about 20 Scouts, and I think that's a great size. I do hope that your Scoutmaster makes sure that the Troop is boy-led. I have had problems more than once in restraining the other leaders in my unit from taking over when they didn't see Scouts doing what they thought the Scouts should.

The swim test has been the stumbling block for First Class for more than one Scout. But it takes approval from the Council Advancement Committee to defer a requirement, and that's only available if there's some kind of disability.

Once he gets through that, he can earn Eagle without ever stepping into the water again. While Swimming merit badge is required for Eagle (Swimming MB is usually one of the ones that the Scouts get their first or second year at summer camp), you can earn either Cycling or Hiking in it's place. And instead of Lifesaving, you can earn Emergency Preparedness.

Merit badges are required to advance from First Class to Star, Life and Eagle. There are 12 merit badges you must earn, and these are the Eagle required ones. You need 4 of the 12 Eagle required merit badges (and any 2 other merit badges) to fulfill the merit badge requirement for Star, 7 of 12 for Life, and of course all 12 for Eagle. However, there are alternatives for 2 of the 12, and they are basically designed to allow a Scout to get Eagle without having to swim any better than it takes to get First Class. Those are the ones I listed above.

[Tax-chick]

Bill doesn't have a disability - just an aversion. He'll do it, but he'll whine A LOT!

My husband is more in touch with what the boys are doing, but the impression I get is that the Patrol Leaders are making most of the decisions, with input from the younger boys.

[savedbygrace]

The Boy Scout Pledge: On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country ... to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Here's the thing: If you are an atheist, then you believe you have no duty to God, because you believe God doesn't exist.

Therefore, a pledge that has you pledging to "do my duty to God" is a pledge to do absolutely nothing. So, how can that be offensive . . . unless you really do, in the innermost recesses of your mind and heart, know that God exists. Then it's a reminder you'd rather not hear.

Oh well, my reply is mostly OT, so I'll drop it there.

[Southack]

We went to Fort AP Hill in 1981 as a Troop. Flew in to D.C. Toured the White House. Saw the sights.

...and got interviewed by the Washington Post. They asked me if I was afraid of nuclear Armegeddon now that Reagan was President. I said "No, it takes his kind of courage to prevent such things. Look at Iran releasing the Hostages peacefully." Keep in mind that lots had just gone on in 1981.

They didn't publish the interview (held on the escalator at then Dulles airport) the next day, but it came out on Sunday and completely misquoted me. I was appalled at how they framed the interview.

That was my first direct experience with the lying news media. Up until that day, I'd always trusted them.

Had a great Jamboree, too. Went back home a little wiser.

[SandRat]

Yep!