Scouting Teleconference

14 January 2009

Posted by admin under: International .

Jason Sadler, a public relations specialist for the military, delivered on his promised to share the results of Saturday’s online hook-up between Boy Scouts in Texas and Georgia and the Iraqi Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. I’m not sure who wrote the following article, perhaps Mr. Sadler himself, but I couldn’t find it on the internet so you might be seeing it here for the first time.

Originally formed in 1954 and silenced during the reign of former President Saddam Hussein, the voices of the Iraqi Boy Scouts are rising once again. A young seven months old, the Iraqi scouts are building “a great bridge across cultures, something that easily divides us,” Brigader General William Grimsley said in opening remarks. “It is really wonderful to see the scouts of Iraq reborn. You are the future of Iraq.” Lt. Col. John Moehler, of the 4th Infantry Division, which is deployed from Fort Hood to Baghdad, coordinated the event. His wife, Bridgette, and sons, Joseph, 10, and Samuel, 7, live in the Augusta area, where the boys are Scouts.

The age of technology allowed for these young men and women to talk with their American counterparts back in Texas and Georgia through a video conference. Nearly 100 scouts in all three areas raised topics with their counterparts from camping to fishing to their favorite music. It’s also easy to forget the Iraqi soldiers are living through a war. “What’s it like being in a war zone?,” a fellow Georgia scout asked. “We fear the war and because of the American forces we have improved the security situation over here. I’m really pleased to meet you,” said a 17-year old Iraqi scout. “What’s your favorite thing to do when camping?”, asked a Texas scout. A young Iraqi girl spoke up and said, “making food … it was a nice night and we were all so happy.”

During his nearly 20 months as the Deputy Commanding General of MND-B, Brigader General Robin Swan pointed to his most memorable experience in Iraq. Swan was invited to attend a parade in Fallajah, the first of its kind since 2002. Like most American parades, the Iraqis had the usual fire engines, ambulances, the Iraqi Army and police and “I looked down the street and saw the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts leading the parade. I sat there watching them walk by … I thought they are the future of this great land. You will develop experiences and capabilities to give back to your local communities that only scouting can represent”, Swan told the group of 21 Iraqi scouts. “I’m honored to talk to the future of Iraq while also talking to the future of the United States.”

These young boys and girls were participating in a gathering that just a few short years ago seemed inconceivable. Now, they’re learning from each other. “What do you study in school and what subjects do you like best?”, a Georgia scout asked. The young Iraqi scout said, “I like the Arabic language but I also love the English because I’m trying in my heart to speak to the Americans.”

Ack. I have pics, too, but my webmail is dying for some reason. I’ll update with pictures later when I figure out what is wrong. But anyway, thanks to the public affairs office for their asistance! And 3 cheers for Colonel Moehler for setting all this up. Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – A young Iraqi Boy Scout stands in front of a projector screen in the Ironhorse Stadium as he talks to a Boy Scout in the United States during a video teleconference hosted Jan. 10by 4th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division – Baghdad. During the VTC, Iraqi Boy and Girl Scouts from the Victory Base Council were able to interact with Boy and Girl Scouts from the Fort Hood, Texas, and Augusta, Ga., areas.