While it doesn't relate to nature, below is an e-mail I received from the
mother of one of our former Scouts in November of 2004. The young man is
now age 22 and serving in Afghanistan.
YiS,
-- Calvin H. Gray Scoutmaster, Troop 405 Associate Advisor, Venturing Crew 405 Georgetown, Texas I used to be an Owl (WM-62-2-98 @ Philmont) http://www.troop405.org/ ___________________ Calvin, Glad to see you are still going strong with Troop 405! Troop activities had a big influence on Steven and gave him the opportunity to do many things he wouldn't have had a chance to try otherwise. I suspect that the high adventure activities spurred him to want to be a Green Beret rather than just regular army. Achieving the rank of Eagle also put him at a higher sign on rank when he joined the Army. He's now training in Italy and Germany in preparation for a tour of duty in Afghanistan starting next spring. He had to leave Special Forces training when he broke his foot and his recovery was too long for him to continue in their training sessions. After arriving in Italy to serve in Airborne Infantry, he broke his leg - but, typical Army, the injury was not confirmed until after he made a 20 mile Ruck march and a parachute jump! My only comment is that it must not have been too bad a break and not too painful! He said it only hurt when he ran. Think Philmont was good training for keeping on going even in pain and discomfort - the hiking boots that had the lacing hooks pull out just before going up Old Baldy? Also, typical Army, after the injury was confirmed he wasn't allowed to train until removed from sick status under threat of court martial for "destruction of government property", namely him! **************** And here is something I posted to our troop's e-mail list earlier this year. This young man will return to the USA and get to see his son for the first time on December 7th. ________________ This is an update received today from Eagle Scout (1999) Dustin Hammit (aka The Little Bohemian), a former T-405 SPL and graduate of Texas A&M University where he was in the Corps of Cadets. In 1994, Dustin spent his 13th birthday on our Bahamas Sailing Adventure. His 14th and 16th birthdays were spent at Philmont. On his first Philmont trek, Dustin was our crew's navigator. On his second trek, he was the crew leader. On his 16th birthday in 1997, Dustin received a 4 lb. birthday rock from the staff at Ponil. He carried the rock in his backpack the remainder of the trek and displayed it during his Eagle Court of Honor. Dustin's wife is the daughter of Dr. Robert Umstattd. -- Calvin ********** Sarah and I are in 29 Palms, CA (yes, a godforsaken place). It is a big training area in the middle of the Cali desert 45 min Northeast of Palm Springs. Sarah is pregnant with our first child. We recently found out it is a boy. I anxiously await the day I can now return to Philmont with another Bohemian. The baby is due Aug. 30. I am deploying with the 31st MEU to Okinawa at the end of this month. I will be an artillery observer for BLT 2/4 (Battalion Landing Team). There is no word yet as to what they will do with us. There are the usual rumors of Iraq or Afghanistan. I actually got a credible rumor that we will probably go to Baghdad, but the Marine Corps won't divulge that info to lowly 2nd Lieutenants until the last minute. There is a joke going around that we will know where we are going when we wake up suddenly one morning and are already there. This will be my first time in Iraq, but it will be the second and even third time for most of my Marines. Too bad you don't have any motivated Bohemians going to Philmont to get you lost. I always recall those days when I am wondering around somewhere with a map and compass (actually a GPS these days). Semper Fidelis and Semper Paratus, Dustin Hammit 2ndLt. USMC India, 3rd Battalion 11th Marines PS Just in case you didn't already know, Semper Paratus means "Always prepared". It is actually the Coast Guard's motto but I think it is fitting for the Boy Scouts. ------------------------------------------------------- Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/ Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp ------------------------------------------------------- Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com ------------------------------------------------------- As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. -------------------------------------------------------Received on Sat Dec 3 11:16:59 2005
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