Posted on 07/25/2005 6:18:31 PM PDT by SandRat
BOWLING GREEN, Va. -- Four adult Boy Scout leaders were killed Monday afternoon in an electrical accident during the opening day of the organization's 2005 Jamboree.
Jamboree spokesman Gregg Shields said the accident occurred between 4:30 and 5 p.m. while the leaders were setting up camp.
One other leader and a contract worker were injured, and were hospitalized in stable condition, Shields said. No youth Scouts were seriously hurt, he said. He did not say how many might have sustained minor injuries.
Shields did not have additional details about the accident, including the victims' names.
"We have an investigation under way," he said.
More than 40,000 Boy Scouts, leaders and volunteers from around the world are attending the 2005 National Scout Jamboree. The event Monday at the Army's Fort AP Hill, a 76,000-acre Army training base about an hour south of the nation's capital.
The Jamboree runs through Aug. 3 with President Bush scheduled to speak Wednesday evening. Scouts ages 12-18 are to spend 10 days camping in tents and doing activities that include archery, fishing and a GPS-based scavenger hunt.
The Boy Scouts of America have held the event since 1937 with the next gathering set for 2010, the Scouts' 100th anniversary.
___
On the Net:
http://www.scouting.org/jamboree
http://www.aphill.army.mil
The proper thing is to cancel the Jamboree after a memorial service is held.
Odds are not quite 50%, but close, that I know one of these folks.
The proper thing to do is
A) what the families want to have done
B) without a clear direction from the families continue with the Jamboree in the name of people who gave gladly to these kids for many, many years.
Very sad, but I don't think they will cancel the Jamboree. My troop attended part of the 1977 Jamboree in Moraine State Park in PA. From a distance, I actually saw a lightening strike hit a tree, and then a scout (he died). The jamboree continued until the end.
no way life goes on dont let the amps and volts win
You just can't always tell what hazards are out there.
John Wayne passed away in June 1979 from cancer. One of his last public appearances, and at this time all knew that the end was near, was at a dinner to benefit a land purchase for a Scout reservation called John Wayne Outpost Camp. At this dinner, the Duke recited the Scout Law. Then he did something unusual, he said “the twelve points of the Scout Law are “nice words.”” “Trouble is,” he continued, “we learn them so young we sometimes don’t get all the understanding that goes with them. I take care of that in my family. As each boy reaches Scout age, I make sure he learns the Scout Law. Then I break it down for him, with a few things I have picked up in more than half a century since I learned it.” Then the Duke proceeded to explain the importance of the Scout Law, breaking it down for the guests at the dinner, much like he would have for his grandson.
John Wayne then thanked those in attendance at the dinner for putting his name on the outpost camp and said, “I would rather see it here than on all the theater marquees the world over.”
Dang. Very sad news. Prayers for families and victims.
A lightning strike maybe?
We've got 6 adults from our council there and haven't heard names yet.
That's too bad. I never made it to a Jamboree when I was in Scouts, but went to plenty of Camporees, Scout Camps, 50-mile hike as well as monthly campouts (rain, snow, sunshine--didn't matter). I look back on the Scouts with fond memories, and it was events like this that made it all worthwile.
This old boy scout totally disagrees with you. And I'm quite sure those 4 Scout leaders would disagree with you also.
Uh, why? It is a bad thing to happen. But, the Scouts have been working toward this for years. Why cancel it? Why not carry on with great determination?
It is a life lesson here.
"The proper thing is to cancel the Jamboree after a memorial service is held."
No, Scouts don't quit like that
What I posted is all I know right now.
Ok,..... you had fun because adults cared to help the youth with Scouts. So what Scout Council/District/Troop/Pack are you working with now to repay the favor?
Never saw that one. I need to clean my momitor. It just got blurry.
My old troop, Troop 152.
PS: My time within the BSA (Eagle Scout, 1968) was in no small part instrumental in my success in later adulthood. I cannot encourage FReepers, their families, and their acquaintances enough to support the Boy Scouts of America and to encourage their children to enroll in this exceptional organization.
Easy there. Do not start a flame war
That's all I heard so far.
Prayers for the families and for the Scouting program.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1450365/posts
another article
So sad. Prayers for their families and all Scouts.
Damn...speachless.
They had electricity at a Jamboree?
Good-O on you!
From Gilwell Park WB Troop 1, WE4-11-04 Is ther an OWL in the House??
Absolutely not xzins. This is not the first time scouts or leaders have died at the Jamboree. The units involved may (and probably should) pack up and go home.
But you're talking more than 40,000 scouts and leaders that come literally from around the world. And putting this one on has been no small feat.
I was an exhibitor at the 2001 Jamboree. My organization opted not to this year for various reasons. One of which was security concerns. The scouts and military have been working for years. Literally since 9/11 to make that place secure.
This is tragic. But it's no cause to give up on such a massive undertaking.
Sorry about that Sr Patrol Ldr!
I see it as a sign of respect for life. At the same time, mine would be just one vote from the pastoral side of the house. Other opinions would not be wrong just because they disagreed with mine, imho. I cannot quote scripture to you that requires one or the other, however, there is typically a period of mourning, and I would not go against that period.
A period of mourning undergirds a high regard for the lesson on the sacredness of life, and I, therefore, would have me not change my recommendation.
I also believe it puts the President in a very awkward position. The media, already unfair to the Boy Scouts, could use it to cast the President as insensitive. I will not be surprised if they do.
I do remember one other speech in which the President addressed a tragedy, and then turned to the topic otherwise at hand. I wish I could remember the occasion of that speech.
Thanks for that piece of information. Anything on from what State or Council they were from?
For the Stage for the opening Ceremony.
Sensitive, but wrong!
The proper thing is to cancel the Jamboree after a memorial service is held.
I don't understand your rationale in cancelling the jamboree. As the article says, 40,000 kids are participating who likely worked and saved for this big event. Though it's tragic, I don't think any of the four that died would have wanted it cancelled.
Not in the tents, but sure. This is, afterall at Fort A.P. Hill. And some of the exhibits and shows get pretty elaborate. Remember this is the National Jamboree with some 40,000 participants.
You can't know what this person has been doing with his life since the Scouts. I was in Girl Scouts and have fond memories of those experiences...but I never felt I owed the scouting program any parcticular debt of service. My kids were not inclined to participate in scouting. My service work with children is therefore in different fields...mainly with my church, but also with local charitable concerns and with the schools my kids attend. Let others give back to the Scouts. I'm giving back to my community in other ways they might not. That seems fair. And judging by the number of boxes of cookies still in my freezer, I'd say I'm repaying my debt to the Girl Scouts with interest!
I'm very sorry to hear of this accident....I hope the survivors have a complete recovery.
Oh SandRat! How terrible...MANY prayers for the families and all the kids at the Jamboree...
As those who died did so trying to put on the Jamboree, my guess is that they would want it to go on.
See my #30
Deaths by electrocution generally don't get much publicity, I suppose because they're usually one at a time (the four deaths in this case being an exception). But I can remember three deaths in the Charlotte area alone in the recent past (and more, I'm sure, that I've forgotten): a construction worker who contacted a live wire; a moviegoer who leaned against an improperly grounded electric sign in front of the theater; and a concert patron who stepped on a live wire at the ironically-named Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.
Be careful, folks. We tend to take electricity for granted. But it needs to be respected.
xzins, you've been in the sacramental wine again haven't you?
If the President is planning to go he should continue to do so. If nothing else to honor their memory.
LOL
You got me!
*****The Jamboree runs through Aug. 3 with President Bush scheduled to speak Wednesday evening. ******
No, I disagree, Corin. (And I'm out of sacramental wine...all I've got is the good stuff! :>)
I think I might be able to live with your idea of sending home only the units affected.
However, there's no doubt that it puts the President in the position of having to acknowledge this, and opens the door to being labeled as insensitive.
Merit badge for electricity
This posting sure shows a lack of class.
No. No other info. It was a short call.
Ah I skimmed over the part about the President being there. IIRC he had to cancel in 2001 because of the weather. Severe thunderstorms and he couldn't copter in. But don't quote me, I may be making that up.
I'm not going to argue this with you, but you're simply wrong. From a pure PR aspect cancelling because of this would appear far more insensitive than going and acknowleding the loss.
There was a kid hit by lightning in 2001. He survived. In 1997 a kid died in a humvee accident (he was driving without a license).
This is tragic. But not new. This will overshadow the event. The scouts and leaders there will never forget what happened.
But quitting is the absolute wrong thing to do.
On occasion, I've posted some joke or photo which seemed funny at the time, but which, upon reflection, seemed crass and not worthy of me. I hope this proves to be one of those times for you.
Please, sir. Stop worrying about what "they" are going to do off this.
Let W be W. And let the Jamboree go on. All will be well.
If ever was a time that the Scouts needed a support, now is that. I think the President will make us proud.
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