Neckerchiefs
Alberto Melis (amelis@GATE.NET)
Sun, 23 Jul 1995 11:24:19 -0005
I normally take an open attitude towards tradition, so while I am
not automatically against things that are traditional, neither I am
autopmatically for them. This is why I have been amused by recent
discussions on dropped merit badgets and the less recent debate on
knee socks.
Kneckerchiefs are one of those that are part of the uniform because
of tradition. (one recent poster mentioned that he treasures
handmade ones, as I do. Don't foget that originally neckerchiefs
were square to begin with)
Mt own troop, however, has had an ancillary tradition that dates
beack at least 70 years. The kerchiefs are black, with a color edge
piping and a 2 cm Seminole Indian milticolored ribbon along the
lenght of the edge. New scouts get a plain black kerchief with a
silver piping. When they make tenderfoot, they get a triangular
patch with troop number, council, troop logo, etc. The scouts do
not get the full workup until they become ASPL, when they get teh
Seminole ribbon-work. ASPL keep the silver piping, while SPL get
gold piping.
There is a similar progression for adults, with only the SM or
former SM's getting the full workup. For lost neckerchiefs there are
replacement costs of up to $25 for a fully developed neckerchief
(minimizes trading problems) for the 75 troop aniversary a special
kerchief was created with white piping.
This is a good way to encourage neckerchief wear, if that is wht you
want to do.
YIS
Alberto Melis
Gulfstream council, FL
Eagle class of '67 (South FL council)
bwron nosed fox SE 514
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