Re: Embarressed by uniform.....NOT I
The Gillams (a2m5u8gt@coastalnet.COM)
Wed, 29 Apr 1998 13:14:51 -0400
It's a shame, we as Scouts and Scouters must feel shamed or embrassed to
wear our uniforms in public. Personally I have no problem with it; however,
I was a little uncomfortable at first. But now I wear it to my childrens'
school, sporting events, the grocery store, restaurants or anywhere I might
be going in route to or from a Scouting function.
I have had elementary age boys ask me if I was a man because I wear a Scout
uniform. So even adults get teased and I do not look anything like a man.
My son is not always happy to have to wear his uniform to other places other
than Scouting events and I know his fellow Scouts share his feelings. Boys
don't seem to have any problems with wearing sport uniforms all over
creation though. What is wrong with our society? It seems that many of
societies priorities are not as they should be and wearing our uniforms "in
public" may be one way to make a change. If anything, it lets the boys see
that the leaders are comfortable in the Scout uniform.
This past weekend while heading home, on Sunday, from a weekend Scouting
event 2 hours away from our homes several of the Scouts, Scouters, siblings
and parents stopped at a restaurant which is owned by our district state
Senator for lunch. Many of us were in our uniforms, dress & Pack T. We
received a lot of approving smiles and I didn't feel the least bit guilty
dining with people dressed in their Sunday best as I may have, had I not
been in uniform. In fact, the Senator even came over to our table to talk,
curious to know about what we were doing. The next day the Senator came to
my son's class (one of my Webelos Scout's dad arranged it) and when I went
to pick him up I got an opportunity to talk with the man. He didn't
remember me but I joked and said it was because I was not in uniform and he
replied "I should wear it more often".
That's the way I feel; if we have the opportunity, " WE SHOULD WEAR IT MORE
OFTEN ! ! ".
YiS,
Ginny Gillam
Pack/Troop 164
Edenton, NC
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
