Re: (semi)Uniformed Ambassador

Jay Thal wrote:
>
<snip>

> I've worn that jacket, with patch, on vacations and travels and found an
> instant recognition by persons of other nations, as well as by other U.S.
> tourists abroad. It is a calling card. And, you can be an ambassador. Tell
> your youth that it*s the largest fraternity in the world, and the symbols of
> Scouting mean that you have friends everywhere.
>
> It was interesting, just the other day I was walking down the street with that
> jacket on my shoulders and my wife on my arm and this, for want of a better
> description, indigent streetperson came up to me and offered me a Scouting
> handshake. I can only surmise that no matter how down and out you (in this
> case he was) become Scouting will be important an important element forever.
>

I, too, have had some interesting encounters while wearing the uniform.

One was at the Miami airport in 1994 as the two crews from our Bahamas
Adventure were preparing to go through customs after returning from our
week of sailing. We were all in uniform. One customs agent saw us,
extended his left hand and greeted me with the Order of the Arrow
handclasp. Needless to say, it didn't take us long to clear customs.

Another interesting encounter took place during a long layover at the
Los Angeles airport in 1993. Our group of Scouts and adults were
sitting around passing the time when a couple of pilots came up and
asked if the Scouts wanted to tour the 747 to which they were assigned.
It turned out that both pilots were Eagle Scouts. Sure was a nice way
to keep the boys occupied for over an hour.

Earlier this year, my wife and I began stopping by a local fast food
restaurant after Monday night troop meetings. We are always in uniform
when we do this. Recently, we were in the same restaurant on another
night after a church related meeting. The lady manager saw us and
asked, "Where are your uniforms?" All three of of got a good laugh out
of this.

YiS,

--
Calvin H. Gray
Scoutmaster, Troop 405
Georgetown, Texas
mailto:405geezer@igg-tx.net
mailto:scoutmaster@troop405.org
http://www.troop405.org

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