At the Opening Campfire, the crew leaders receive an American flag as a reminder of their responsibility to provide leadership on the trail. Traditionally, it has been tied onto the crew leader's backpack.
At the Closing Campfire, the crew leader receives the WAMI (We All Made It!) plaque. We don't give any direction on what is to be done with the plaque, as we believe that should be the crew's decision. Many crews feel that it is appropriate to present the plaque to the lead advisor, but perhaps your crew may feel that there's someone else who should have it.
Also at the Closing Campfire, we direct the advisor to present the American flag to the crew leader once again in recognition of the crew leader's critical role in a successful trek. This reflects the Philmont philosophy that the crew leader, not the advisor, is the leader of the crew.
Personally, I don't feel that having the flag displayed on the crew leader's pack is disrespectful. The practical issue of the flag being left in the dust and mud when the pack is set down is something that the crew ought to be able to work out with a bit of thought. The issue is forgetfulness or perhaps thoughtlessness, rather than intentional disrespect. This is an opportunity for learning that ought to be addressed by advisors and perhaps by rangers. No, I don't believe the flag code says anything about the flag being displayed on a pack, but a Philmont trek probably wasn't on the minds of the Congressmen who wrote the code. I think the intent is to subtly remind the crews here that they should be proud to be an American, and I believe that's how it's taken for the most part. Encouraging Scouts to display the flag is a good thing. They just need a little prompting to consider how they're doing it.
Just my two cents worth...
Doug Marquis
Asst. Mgr. CHQ Activities
-------------- Original message --------------
From: Kevin Mineart <kjmineart@yahoo.com>
On the subject of the flag (and plaque presented at the closing campfire) is the flag intended to be the crew leader's 'gift' and the plaque for the lead advisor? or is it the crew leader's discretion?? It seems to me that there were specific instructions given in 2003 at the campfire. I am just curious as the lead advisor from my '03 trek has all the plaques from his 11 treks spanning from around 1980 to 2003. I was looking forward to having my first (hopefully not last) after this trek but the crew leader kept it. Is there a protocol on this? can I order the same plaque from ToTT? Just curious if it was my misconception or my crew leader being selfish (a side he showed on the trail a couple times when the crew didn't decide the way he wanted them to.) No big deal but I have wondered off and on and this post prompted me to check with the list.
Thanks!
Kevin Mineart
2007 618-E2 Lead Advisor
2003 802-B3 Co-advisor
----- Original Message ----
From: "Norwood, Anthony (CIV)" <Anthony.Norwood@usdoj.gov>
To: Philmont List Member <Philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 11:27:30 AM
Subject: [Philmont] Back from Philmont. Suggestion/Question
<CLIP>.
Question. Do you think Philmont would stop using the American flag as the crew leader's gift? Our leader was careful, but there are simply too many opportunities and occasions when the flag is mistreated. A Philmont flag would work better, and it would have more meaning in 20 years when he or she shows it to the kids.
Tony
Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when.
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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
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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.
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Received on Thu Jul 26 13:13:22 2007
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