Some things gotta go........

[Chippewa29 13]

Very interesting discussion. I'm only going to comment on one part and this will be pretty tame.

As far as changing the Boy Scout rank: If a Scout doesn't like the way the patch looks, he can do some work and get his Tenderfoot, which is a badge that looks much nicer. Eventually, if he works hard enough, then he gets to wear the best looking patch, the Eagle. The "cool" looking patches can come in the form of event patches. For most Scouts, what the rank patches look like doesn't matter. But rather, what the rank represents.

[tdyer56 10]

Just one quick note about the Scout rank. I think it does need to be plain looking. If you look at each patch progresively, you will see that the next one in a little fancier than the one before. Just remeber the BSA history.

 

Bye the way....I am proud of my uniform with all the patches I have earned...trained...etc. But I am most proud of my Flag. I know that when I have it on, I am always carrying a flag with me.

[evmori 11]

I just found this thread. Take the American flag off the uniform???? Why??? I can think of no good reason to do this!

 

Yes the Boy Scout badge is plain. Remember, it IS NOY A RANK! The 1st rank is Tenderfoot! If the Scout doesn't like the Boy Scout badge, tough! Like someone else posted, do some work & earn your Tenderfoot!

 

Ed Mori

Scoutmaster

Troop 1

"Go Steelers"

[johnmbowen 10]

Now, I don't know if this is true, but I heard that the reason we wear the US flag on our shirts is that the John Birch Society gave the BSA money with the flag as a proviso. While I like the flag and don't mind wearing it, it does remind me of this story. I'm not too liberal, but I would distance myself in a hurry from the John Birch Society and what it stands for.

 

Additionally, I am just back from Mexico on a Scout Trip, and know that the Scouts down there, while patriotic as any, do not wear their flag on their sleeve.

 

[FScouter 24]

I'd find it difficult to believe that BSA would accept money from the John Birch Society at all, let alone accept it with qualifications.

[jmcquillan 10]

"Additionally, I am just back from Mexico on a Scout Trip, and know that the Scouts down there, while patriotic as any, do not wear their flag on their sleeve."

 

Well, I'm not sure that Scouts in a lot of countries wear the flag of their country on their sleeve. And that's fine. To each his own. That's part of what makes this diverse world go 'round. But for me, I live in the good ol' USA, and I'm quite proud to wear my countries flag on my uniform.

 

 

[Rooster7 11]

This is what I know about the John Birch Society.

 

John Birch Society, educational membership organization, which is opposed to socialism, Communism, Nazism, and fascism, and which strongly, supports a limited federal government under the Constitution of the United States. It was founded in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1958. The organization was named after U.S. Army Captain John Birch, who was killed by Chinese Communist forces in China ten days after the end of World War II in 1945.

 

Someone enlighten me (no sarcasm intended). Tell me what it is about this group that has some people upset. Specifically, what belief do they possess, or what action have they taken, that gives one reason for pause? In my lifetime, I have heard them mentioned several times before, often with the same sense of contempt that is being shown here. For future reference, I'd like to be educated as to why. I'm not necessarily a supporterPerhaps I just know the history of the group.

 

[Rooster7 11]

I hate it when that happens -

 

CHANGE

 

Perhaps I just know the history of the group.

 

TO

 

Perhaps I just don't know the history of the group.

[jmcquillan 10]

OFF-TOPIC ALERT.....

 

Rooster's example, above, is a perfect one for the need, in these forums, of a method to "edit" our own posts. We're all susceptible to the dreaded "uh oh...I screwed up that post and found out only after I posted it" calamity. Wouldn't it be real nice if this website offered a means of editing our own posts after the fact, for those neat little moments when the signals between the brain and the fingers go awry, and the demons of the keyboard force our hand to "post" long before we should?

 

This message is brought to you by the "Write To Your Webmaster Committee", an organization created by and for those of us whose fingers and brain cells aren't always connected in the fashion they're supposed to be. _

[NHScouter 10]

The following information is taken from the United States Code, Title 4 (Flag and Seal, Seat of Government, and the States), Chapter 1 (The Flag), Sec. 8(j), (Respect for Flag):

 

"However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations."

 

Furthermore, Title 36 (Patriotic and National Organizations), Subtitle II (Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations), Part B (Organizations), Chapter 309 specifically designates the Boy Scouts of America as one of the qualifying patriotic organizations given the right to wear the flag on their uniform.

 

Why are we even wasting time discussing this? The flag stays!

[jmcquillan 10]

NHScouter,

 

Thanks!! That's what we needed to see...the black and white that lays out just who can, and why they can.

 

Good job.

 

[eisely 13]

If anyone noticed, the troops in Afghanistan have flag patches on their uniforms, and probably for very good reason. It seems to me that the photographs I have seen of the World War II invasion of North Africa by the allies in 1942 show American troops with flag patches on their uniforms. The hope was that the local French forces would come over the allied side when they saw the American flag.

[le Voyageur 72]

Well guys, I've been sitting back reading your postings and I think this thread has been beaten to death. But before moving on some final thoughts.

 

First, this board really needs an edit function

 

Second, freedom of speech - where else could we get such latitude to express are feelings with such passion. We may not agree on everything, but, isn't that the American way.

 

Third, nope, I haven't been chastised, I like pushing hot buttons, comes from being a C.O.P.E. Director. It's a great way to get a quick look into the dynamics of a new group

 

Fourth, every American has the same rights as every other American. Dosen't matter if you did or didn't serve in the military. We all get one vote, just gotta use it wisely for what we believe in.

 

Glad to of had this chat with you - en roulant all

[FScouter 24]

On the message reply screen there is a button labeled "Would you like to preview this message before it is added to the forums?". One may edit, edit, and re-edit before posting.

[jmcquillan 10]

FScouter,

 

You're absolutely correct. But you fail to take into account the over-confidence that some of us succumb to prior to hitting the darned little "post" thingy. I'm looking for another little thing to hit to edit posts that I fail to go over, and over, before posting. A fault that seems all to common in my posts.

 

Oh...and how do you guys italicize things? That's one I haven't yet figured out....go figure.