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Four Boy Scout Leaders Killed in Electrical Accident at Jamboree Opening in Virginia
COX.Net AP Story ^ | July 25,2005 | MICHAEL FELBERBAUM, Associated Press Writer

Posted on 07/25/2005 6:18:31 PM PDT by SandRat

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To: MarMema

Or being the Pop-Corn Kernal, the emegency point of contact for outings, publicity, historian, transportation coordinator,.........................


141 posted on 07/26/2005 6:39:48 AM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Back in may we had a long time Adult Leader on the District Committee pass away. At the funeral service we had over 60 Scouts in uniform (adults and youth) then when the casket was being brought out of the church we had 10 uniformed Scouts on each side of the sidewalk that gave and held the Scout salute until the door on the hearse was closed. We also had over 45 Scouts graveside.


142 posted on 07/26/2005 6:43:23 AM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: conshack
May God hold the friends and families of these Scout leaders close to Him now and give them peace and strength and comfort, in Jesus' name.

Carolyn

143 posted on 07/26/2005 6:48:53 AM PDT by CDHart (The world has become a lunatic asylum and the lunatics are in charge.)
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To: xzins; weaponeer

weaponeer's #78 is exactly right.

Tragedy is part of life, and each of us have to learn to deal with that. There is no better environment that I know of for children to learn the proper attitude.

During my 8 years as counselor at Scout camps, plus 5 other years as a Scout myself, there were many injuries and several deaths - ranging from lightning death of a Scouter, many Scouts witnessing a (non-Scout) helicopter crash into the lake, broken bones and sprains, and burn injuries from fire-fighting. Never did we send anyone home or terminate the activities. We DID have memorial services, and we honored the life and MEANINGFUL DEATH of the Scouters, and used injuries as lessons, and prayer opportunities.

I appreciate your "respect for life" attitude, but must ask you reconsider this situation yourself. It is my opinion that by taking a "cut and run" attitude, that dishonors the attitudes that these Scout leaders were working to instill.

In this case, if anything strongly out of the ordinary is to be done, I believe it would be far better for each Scout to all chip a buck into the hat, and fly the families of those Scouters into the Jamboree for a memorial service to honor their lives.

You're going to continue to be "Just a lonely voice crying out in the wilderness..... LOL!"


144 posted on 07/26/2005 7:02:06 AM PDT by AFPhys ((.Praying for President Bush, our troops, their families, and all my American neighbors..))
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To: trussell

Amen.

and, thanks.


145 posted on 07/26/2005 7:03:47 AM PDT by AFPhys ((.Praying for President Bush, our troops, their families, and all my American neighbors..))
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To: SandRat

Duke's expansion and explanation of the Scout Law ought to be required reading for all youth, not only Scouts. I have seen it several times over the years, and thank you for reposting it.

My 8yo daughter will be seeing it tonight.

Thanks.


146 posted on 07/26/2005 7:08:28 AM PDT by AFPhys ((.Praying for President Bush, our troops, their families, and all my American neighbors..))
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To: leadpenny

I believe it would have a negative impact on the scouts if they went home early . . . more than if they stayed.
---->

EXACTLY! Imagine the outcome of those alternatives five or twenty years from now. I've been there. Far better for all concerned to carry on.


147 posted on 07/26/2005 7:14:24 AM PDT by AFPhys ((.Praying for President Bush, our troops, their families, and all my American neighbors..))
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To: SandRat

Prayers in the Name of our Lord Jesus for the families of those killed, and for all those in attendance at the Jamboree. May they be comforted and find strength during this time.


148 posted on 07/26/2005 7:14:33 AM PDT by TruthSetsUFree
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To: Kathy in Alaska; SandRat

Thank you for linking this very informative article Kathy. Our troop has several attending the Jamboree. My heart is heavy this morning.


149 posted on 07/26/2005 7:20:59 AM PDT by ride the whirlwind
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To: SandRat

Prayers up for these men and their families.


150 posted on 07/26/2005 7:23:14 AM PDT by rockabyebaby (What do you like best about your life?)
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To: xzins
I'd echo what so many others have said -- canceling the Jamboree is not the solution. Over 40,000 Scouts and leaders are involved -- many with fixed-date airline tickets home and at least one year of planning this event under their respective belts. Boys have paid anywhere from $750 (no-frills trips from the Atlantic seaboard) to $4000 (Pacific Northwest) to attend.

The accident was tragic. Although it is possible that the Troop involved may go home (each Jamboree Troop has only four leaders, and the accident apparently killed them all), it's likely that four of the thousands of volunteer Jamboree staff members will step in if requested. Although technically all of those killed were "adults," as stated in the story, one was likely the Third Assistant Scoutmaster who by Jamboree regulation is between 18 and 21 years old. An adult perhaps, but a youth too.

I'm certain there will be respectful moments of silence and/or prayers formally held within each of the 800 Jamboree Troops, at the opening ceremonies, at the religious services held on the Sunday of Jamboree, and perhaps at the closing ceremonies.

I speak as a Jamboree Troop Scoutmaster from 2001, and as someone who was scheduled to be a Jamboree Troop Scoutmaster this year (but who had to drop about two months ago, after 8-10 months of planning, because of a job change). The Scout Spirit will live on through Jamboree, and that Spirit will include respectful prayers for the families of those involved.
151 posted on 07/26/2005 8:24:45 AM PDT by Scoutmaster (You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred)
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To: SandRat; ghostcat

"... and a good old Eagle, too" C-19-96
"I used to be a Staffer ...." C-31-02

I was a Troop Guide at the latter Course; it was our Council's first "Wood Badge of the 21st Century" course. A bit of a change, certainly, and there was some grumbling from the old guard. I never minded the old instructional methods of occasionally putting you in a trick bag and letting you figure your way out; that's real life, isn't it? But not everyone responded well to that, and the additional emphasis on management (and consequent de-emphasis on outdoor skills) is probably necessary and useful. But what that means is that we as leaders need to identify those Scouters who lack outdoor skills and get them trained up to speed on them.


152 posted on 07/26/2005 8:52:13 AM PDT by RonF
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To: SandRat
Greg Shields just gave a press statement:

"As we communicated yesterday, four BSA leaders were killed in an electrical accident at Fort A.P. Hill between 4:30 and 5 p.m. yesterday, while setting up camp. The four individuals are Michael J. Shibe, 49, Mike Lacroix, 42, and Ronald H. Bitzer, 58, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Scott Edward Powell, 57, of Perrysville, Ohio. Three other men were also injured in the accident. One is a Boy Scout leader and two are contract workers. They are in stable condition. The injured leader is Jay Lawrence Call, 43, of Anchorage, Alaska.

One Scout suffered minor injuries that did not require hospitalization. Our hearts go out to the families of these devoted Scout leaders who gave so much to their sons, their troops, and their communities.

At this point, although it does not show in the transcript, Mr. Shields had to stop to gather his composure.

A thorough investigation into this accident is underway. We will share any additional information as we can.

Today, at the 2005 National Scout Jamboree, the Army has instituted a day of safety stand-down in preparation for up to 25,000 visitors on Wednesday for the opening show. Entry of guests will be restricted on Tuesday, participants will be reminded to drink plenty of water, and we will be reviewing safety precautions. As planned, the public is invited to visit the jamboree from Wednesday, July 27, through Tuesday, August 2."

153 posted on 07/26/2005 9:05:04 AM PDT by RonF
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To: RonF

Tragic. Was it a lightning strike or some other kind of electrical accident?


154 posted on 07/26/2005 9:10:24 AM PDT by Ditter
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To: Ditter

It appears that the gentlemen involved were setting up a tent that used aluminum poles to hold it up. Apparently they were setting it up underneath some electrical wires, and contacted a wire with one of the poles. What we may have here is a fatal error of judgement.


155 posted on 07/26/2005 9:16:17 AM PDT by RonF
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To: SandRat

Whatever happened to hosting the jamborees at Gettysburg?


156 posted on 07/26/2005 9:18:43 AM PDT by MHT
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To: xzins

Perhaps a memorial service will be held during the Jamboree. I think that could be comforting to all of the Boy Scouts and their leaders.


157 posted on 07/26/2005 10:18:09 AM PDT by Chena (I'm not young enough to know everything)
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To: RonF

An easy variant is to have the candidate sit on the ground and put a big tarp over them so all edges touch the ground. Then tell the candidate that they have something on that they don't need and to remove it and hand it to the instructor. You'd be surprised at how long it sometimes takes before they realize that the unneeded item is the tarp.


158 posted on 07/26/2005 11:20:12 AM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: MHT

My guess is the Environmentalists crying that it was destroying/damaging a National Treasure or whatever.


159 posted on 07/26/2005 11:21:53 AM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat

Prayers on the way.


160 posted on 07/26/2005 11:42:59 AM PDT by Luke (CPO, USCG (Ret))
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