25 July 2009
Scouts Moon Over Apollo 11 Mission
Posted by admin under: Community Partners .
I’d read about the anniversary of man’s first steps on the moon and thought it was cool, but I guess I never really read many of the stories in-depth. WestBSA has and reminds us that Boy Scouts have a very special connection to that event besides the men who were in Boy Scouts before they were scouting outer space.
Did you know that on July 20, 2009 was the 40th anniversary of the World Scouting Lunar Landing. During the 11th Apollo Mission that landed on the moon Neil Armstrong brought with him a World Scout badge.
Here is the full story:
July 20, 2009 marks the 40th Anniversary of the successful Apollo 11 moon landing. Amongst the treasured items that Crew Commander, Neil Armstrong, carried with him to the Moon and back was a World Scout Badge!
The former member of Boy Scouts of America presented this unique momento of his now legendary mission to World Scouting. The signed citation reads, “I certify that this World Scout Badge was carried to the moon on man’s first lunar landing, Apollo XI, July 20, 1969.”
The Scout emblem which features in the badge was created by Baden-Powell. The fleur-de-lys, which indicated ‘north’ on old maps, is a reminder that Scouts must be as reliable as a compass; they must respect Scouting’s ideals and help show others the way. A singularly appropriate symbol then to be carried by the first man to set foot on the Moon!
This historically important badge is kept on permanent display at the World Scout Bureau’s central office in Geneva, Switzerland.
Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ ‘05 WSJ ‘07 ‘11 Philmont AA ‘08
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