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ScoutWithNecker

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Everything posted by ScoutWithNecker

  1. The one part of the uniform that is immediately recognizable to people around the world as "Scout" is the neckerchief. Scouts in other countries wear their neckerchiefs proudly as the one uniform part that they would never forego. There was a time when boys in the USA couldn't wait to wear the Cub Scout uniform in its entirely. And many of them would not part with their neckerchiefs, even when it was time to take off the rest of the uniform.
  2. And in Europe, as around the world, every Scout without exception wears his or her neckerchief and wears it proudly. Why have we in the USA all but abandoned this universal mark of the Souting Movement? Scouts come back from World Jamborees and other gatherings with several neckerchiefs they have received from new friends. And at Jambos it is unusual to see Scouts wearing only one neckerchief. They trade and sign and exchange multiple neckers with other Scouts.
  3. I neckerchiefs, too, Cimarron and I always wear mine proudly. Like you, Mike, I have a huge collection of the old full-square neckerchiefs that I wear over the collar. They are big, and comfortable, and they look fantastic. I an glad that there is a groundswell of support for neckerchiefs. They are indeed the traditional and universal symbol of Scouting.
  4. Scout Mom, The original neckerchiefs were all full-square. The dimensions changed slightly through the iterations. The first neckerchiefs had a contrasting border (not arrow shaped) and the first class emblem at the corners. Later neckerchiefs had the arrow-shaped borders with the National Headquarters Logo in the corners. In the 1930's the classic one-color or contrasting bordered neckerchiefs with the tenderfoot emblem and BSA in corners were in place. They were made from a resilient but soft cotton pongee. By the 1940's a coarser cotton material was used and half or triangular neckerchie
  5. Cimarron, Right on. I love neckerchiefs,too - always have. The neckerchief is the universally recognized symbol of scouting. European scouts would never be without their neckers - the same for scouts around the world. I have a ton of the old full-squares and ususally wear one of the older full-squares with my collar tucked under. The scouts in our troop love the old full-squares and get one when joining the troop - to keep when reaching first class.
  6. The dimensions of the full-square neckerchiefs varied. The older ones from the 1920's were smaller and not exactly square. In 1940's dimensions changed to 32x32 and a coarser fabric was used in their manufacture. By 1950 they were pretty much gone in favor of the triangular scarves. I have tons of the old full-squares - of all colors. I have tried to preserve them from being lost. If anyone wants one - or a bunch - they are free for the asking. Just send me a message.
  7. The neckerchief is the universal - and universally recognized - symbol of Scouting. Scouts from all over the world proudly wore, displayed, and traded neckers at the 100th Anniversary of Scouting - some of them sporting as many as three or four neckers simultaneously. It was a mistake to make the neckerchief optional. A mistake to make it too small. A mistake to wear it under the collar where it bunches up, looks too small, and serves no useful purpose but to make Scouts resemble Young Pioneers of the Soviet era. I wear the neckerchief proudly, explain its place in Scouting tradition to yo
  8. Gold Winger, I am in agreement with you. The large old full-square cotton neckerchiefs are comfortable, absorbant,and look fantastic. I wear them when hiking and keep them for first-aid demonstrations. Pictures of Scouts taken in the 1950's for National Geographic show boys in full uniform and boys in tee shirts. But every one of them is wearing a neckerchief. Trains Magazine recently ran a story on railroading and the 1950's National Jamborees at Valley Forge. Every Scout in every picture is wearing a neckerchief. And they are so clearly identified as Boy Scouts. The neckerchief is the un
  9. Right on, Nessmuk. The neckerchief has been killed and its death is killing the uniform. Under the collar style looks sloppy and Scouts don't look like Scouts did in an earlier era when the complete uniform was worn with pride. I like the old, full-squares for size and comfort and usefulness.
  10. Prairie,local1400,jr56, I am with you. I always wear a neckerchief. It is the traditional symbol of Scouting the world over. Local 1400 good luck with your neckerchief refuge. I have one, too.
  11. fschebor, That is one fine looking troop. Everyone with a neckerchief worn over the collar and a beret. That is the best public relations picture for Boy Scouts that I have seen in a long time. Keep up the tradition.
  12. KLodi, Thank you for giving us a needed perspective on the world-wide Scouting movement. The scarf identifies us to people all over the world. We should wear our neckerchiefs proudly as our heritage from the past and our link with Scouts around the globe.
  13. Kahits, I certainly agree with you. Neckerchiefs worn over a turned-under collar are the traditional look for the BSA. They also give the scouts a neat appearance and instill pride. We have gathered a large collection of the old national issue full-squares from sources such as flea markets and e-bay auctions. A big full-sauare is presented to each member of the troop when he earns his Scout badge with the understanding that the scarf is on loan from the troop until he attains the rank of First-class. At that point the neckerchief is his for life. The Scouts are proud to wear the troop colo
  14. kahits,Sorry for the typo on your name in my previous post. I believe that ponge is pronounced pon-jay. Perhaps it is spelled pongee. I must dig out my copy of the Service Library 1927 booklet Scouting With a Neckerchief or my copy of Reimer's classic Matching Mountains with the Boy Scout Uniform. "The neckerchief is first and last a necessity."
  15. Right you are, Michael. Forever a Knight of the Neckerchief - and proud to wear it.
  16. Kalit, Congratulations and kudos on returning to a full-square neckerchief. They look terrific, fit taller scouts and us Scouters fine and are usefully for practicing all sorts of skills. As far as material and comfort are concerned the standard issue full-squares that were issued up to about 1940 were made of mercerized cotton ponge. They are as light and strong as silk, they feel cool and soft against the neck, and look fresh and wrinkle-free after a wash and quick dry on the line. I've gotten loads of them at trade-o-rees.
  17. I wear the neckerchief, always the neckerchief, never anything but the neckerchief.
  18. How could the neckerchief be considered a danger? It has been a life-saving tool from the time that it was adopted. And far from being an "uncool nuisance", it is the most distinctive and useful part of the Scout uniform. Legions of Scouts have worn thier neckerchiefs proudly and I am proud to be among them.
  19. I love neckerchiefs, too. I always wear mine proudly as the symbol of Scouting all around the world. The neckerchief is the most distinctive and easily recognized part of the uniform. It bothers me that so few scouts are taught the wonderful heritage that the neckerchief represents or realize how much more like Scouts they look when they wear a neckerchief properly and proudly. Because I am tall I wear an old-time full-square neckerchief folded neatly over my tucked-in collar. I have collected quite a lot of them. The older scouts to whom I have given some find them comfortable and useful for
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