Troop News

As you may not know, the normal celebration of President's Day, normally a school holiday, by the the Greater Alabama Council is not going to happen this year for various reasons.

Mr. Cox has recently talked toState Representative Paul DeMarco, who is willing to host the Troop on February 20th in Montgomery (the anniversary by the way, of John Glenn's (Eagle Scout) first orbiting the earth). As you also know, Nevin had invited Mr. DeMarco over to the Troop (December 10, 2011) and along with a discussion of several different topics, Mr. Demarco presented the Troop with an Alabama State Flag that flew for a day over the State House. Mr. DeMarco is an Eagle Scout (Troop 320) and wants to assist the Scouts with programs that are worthy of their time.

The coming, proposed visit will satisfy several, if not most or all, of the requirements for the Citizen in the Nation Merit Badge (Eagle required) and add a great personal experience to the Scout's career and general knowledge of State and National government with the visit to the Capitol and other areas we will plan on visiting.

Pending a finalized agenda, we would leave the Hut at about 8:00 am or possibly sooner in the bus....in the Class A uniform w/Troop neckerchief, spend the day as a quest of Representative DeMarco, inclusive of his State House and museum tours, have lunch, be introduced to other government officials (perhaps the Governor), spend more time on other tours, then head for the Hut in order to arrive around 5:00 PM.....We will more than likely not have a regular meeting owing to the Holiday that night (Feb 20th).

We will bring this trip up at this coming Monday's meeting (February 6) for a show of a hands on who wants to go....we would like to see about 20 or more make it a day with us ....there will be nominal fee for fuel and lunch for the trip....we will need a follow- on vehicle and one or two additional leaders other than myself. This trip will be a first for the Troop with anticipation of an annual event once more if the Council will kick back in with the regular program as they have in the past which included a visit with the Governor and other officials

Talk to your Scout about it...check your own calendar....we will see his answer this Monday for a head count to see if we will be going. If he will not be at the meeting, but would like to attend the trip..please reply so we can count him.

YiS Dan s "Delivering the Promise"