Black Team Helps Make Scouting Event a Success

Anyone who has ever been around Boy Scouts knows that they can be a rowdy, inquisitive, and entertaining bunch. This weekend in Galena, IL was no different, as more than 4,500 Boy Scouts descended on the town for the 56^th annual Ulysses S. Grant Boy Scouts of America Pilgrimage.

Since 2010 is the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America, the theme of the event was “100 Years of Shared Values,” through which the event organizers hoped to highlight the similarities in the Army and Scouting values. The Scout Law states that, “A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Thrifty, Helpful, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.” He also promises to “do my duty to God and My country, [and] to help other people.” The Army values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage) tie in closely with the Scouting values, along with Unit/Troop pride, camaraderie, and leadership structure.

Nobody knows military values and rich history than the city of Galena, population 3500, which makes her a fitting hostess for the event. Ulysses S. Grant, 18^th president of the United States, was a Galena native along with nine other famous Civil War Generals. Most of the buildings in the town dated from the early to mid 1800s and their condition had been preserved beautifully. The team was honored to stay in the DeSoto House Hotel, which is the oldest operating hotel in IL and over the years has had such distinguished guests as Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain, and was the site of President Grant’s presidential reception after he was elected president.

The town worked tirelessly the past year to make the Golden Knights’ arrival a reality, and the reception was fantastic. Everyone knew we were there and greeted us warmly as we walked around town to see the sights.

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and we were unable to jump due to low clouds and fog. As soon as the weather call was made, the team jumped in the vehicles and got back to town as quickly as possible. We attended a luncheon with the Scout leaders and Galena city officials, after which we walked in a parade down Main Street proudly carrying the Golden Knights flag and the Army Star flag. After the parade we presented a baton to Chief of Police Jerry Westemeier, a Marine Corps veteran, in thanks for his 24 (and counting) years of service to the City of Galena.

The event was a huge success, despite the weather. The event committee had 3500 Scouts pre-registered and an additional 1200 walk-ins registered the day of. The numbers were up 1500 from last year’s event, thanks mostly to great planning and organization and the Golden Knights’ appearance.

Story and pictures by SGT Rachel Medley

Photos:

1. Black Team waves to crowds of Scouts and townspeople as the parade moves down Main Street past the Galena VFW.

2. If only the weather had been this nice on jump day!! This is a view of the town street the day before the team arrived.

3. While waiting for the team to arrive Friday, SGT Rachel Medley makes an impromptu stop at the Dubuque Regional Airport to chat with some elementary school students who were taking a tour of the airport.

4. As part of the celebration, some of the men in the town dress up as Civil War Generals and teach the Scouts about Galena history.

5. “General” and “Mrs.” Grant chat with some Scouts.

6. SSG Todd Beckel and SGT Brandie Phillips sign autographs in front of the Galena Welcome Center after the parade.

7. (L to R) Matt Ohms, SFC Rob Mooney (an Eagle Scout himself), and Matt Oldenburg. Oldenburg and Ohms, both Galena natives, were on the event committee.

8. The Galena Fire Department led the parade.

9. SGT Jusseppe Silvagnoli and Galena Fire Chief Mike Simmons

10. Black Team Leader SFC Will Fleming presents a signed lithograph to Mr. Matt Ohms of Galena.