Article by Bob Lopez, Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 75
Cranford’s Troop 75 spent a busy weekend in Washington DC. From early in the morning to late at night, the Scouts were on the move in our Nation’s Capital.
After observing the hourly Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Scouts participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb. Wanting to show their respect and honor to those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend our nation, Troop 75 invited Cranford VFW Post 335 to attend. Showing enthusiasm and gratitude for the invitation, the Post generously provided a wreath with the phrase: “In Honor of Those Who Gave Their Lives so that We May Live Free.” Led by the Sergeant of the Tomb Guard, VFW Post 335 Commander Jay Emmons Boxwell and Senior Vice Commander James Silkensen and Troop 75 Eagle Scout Timothy Joyce and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Joseph Gannon performed an exemplary job representing Cranford’s veterans and the Boy Scouts of America, respectively.
On a very tight schedule, the Scouts traveled afterward to Union Station for lunch. A short, pleasant walk in the Washington sunshine took them to the Capital Building for a guided tour, courtesy of Congressman Leonard Lance’s office. The Capital Tour Staff was extremely happy to see the smartly uniformed Scouts, treating them with respect and honor. The Scouts enjoyed a stirring video about the history and significance of the Capital Building, a symbol bringing the People of this great Nation together, followed by a walk through the Crypt, the Rotunda, the National Statuary Hall and the Old Senate (“Whispering Gallery”) Chamber. Each location was replete with statues representing significant people from each of the 50 States and their contributions to the growth of our Nation. An extremely knowledgeable Capital Tour Guide provided little-known facts and deftly fielded questions from the Scouts, weaving insights into his answers that helped everyone appreciate how our Country came to be.
After dinner at Union Station’s Shake Shack, the Scouts spent a short time playing Frisbee in an adjacent park before starting a bus tour of the monuments. Under a bright, full October moon, with stops at the Martin Luther King, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Marine Corp (Iwo Jima) and Lincoln Memorials, the Scouts received an inperson appreciation of the hard-won freedoms that we have today.
The “Monuments by Moonlight” tour bus driver “Sooner Steve” kindly drove the Troop back cross-town to their parking spot while giving a private tour of additional sites. Troop 75 Scouts were courteous and respectful throughout the tour and received many unsolicited positive and encouraging compliments from every member of the Washington DC public, including Veteran, military, National Park and Capital Staff personnel.
Boy Scout Troop 75 meets at the Cranford United Methodist Church every Thursday evening from 730pm-900pm while school is in session. On Saturday, November 5th, Troop 75 invites Cranford Cub Scout Pack Arrow of Light Scouts (Senior Webelos) to attend an introductory hike to the Long Pond Iron Works. A Harriman State Park backpacking hike is planned for November 18-20th.
For details on these events , please check out the Troop Calendar at the Troop website: mytroop75.org/Home_Page.php If your son likes camping and the outdoors, the Boy Scouts of America and Troop 75 is the place for him to be!
(above) Arriving at Arlington National Cemetery, the Scouts visited the eternal flame at President and First Lady Kennedy’s final resting place on a bluff overlooking the city.
Photo courtesy of Bob Lopez.
