Dec. 9, 2006 Campout: Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga

Scouts: Jamie McKenzie, Peter McKenna, Ian Graessle, Brennen Graessle, Rod Shirazi, Sam Gantt
Guests: Charlie McKenna, Kyle Corbett
Scouters: Rick Farber, David McKenna, Kriss McKenzie Brian Wright and Pete Corbett

Well this was my last official campout as Scoutmaster and I have to say it was a great one! Lots of cool things were seen, Scouts had a great activity, and I was able to spend some time with my son Kyle. Kyle never got into scouts but loves military stuff so it was very easy to get him interested to attend. Just goes to show you in Scouting you can reach every young man - you just have to have all the buttons to push!!

All the Scouts and Scouters were on time early Saturday morning for our 7:00 am departure time….Mr. Hall was even kind enough to meet us to bring the troop first aid kit. We had great weather and no one was on the road so we made it to the base by 10:00. When we got to the base thanks to Osama there was a major check-in that I was unaware of. All the drivers had to have their current registration with them. For just a brief moment we were not sure if we all had our registrations. Good fortune had it we all were properly documented and allowed to enter the base. We made our way slowly through the base and marveled at all the activity (training) going on and could not wait to dig in.

Our Campsite was on Uchee Creek on the other side of the base across the Chattahoochee. We set up camp and decided to go to the Infantry museum and have lunch there and then for the afternoon have the long bike trip trough the base. We got to the Museum a little early which gave the scouts time to enjoy all the tank and artillery pieces outside…we ate lunch in the huge field in front of the Museum and then took the tour. The Museum was three floors of history: guns, uniforms, jeeps you name it. However the most interesting was when Mr. Wright pointed out the Ranger Creed:

The Ranger Creed
Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.

Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move farther, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be. One-hundred-percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.

RANGERS and SCOUTS LEAD THE WAY!

After the tour we went back to camp and the Bike group took off for the afternoon for their 15 Mile trek. Mr. Farber, Kyle, and I held down the campsite, and Mr. McKenna and son Charlie went on their own Tandem bike trip. All made it back safely for dinner. Mr. McKenna made a great one pot rice and pork sausage meal topped off with chocolate chip cookies. The Scouts had hamburgers.

We had a Blue Bead night as all the water in camp was frozen! The scouts got all packed up Sunday Morning and we went back over to the base for a short bike trip to a different part of the base.

The trip will be very memorable for me not only because of my time as Scoutmaster but to visit a place where young people are training to provide us the freedoms we enjoy was very humbling. I also just spoke with my dad about the trip and found out he was stationed there in 1943 prior to going to Europe for D Day.

What a Country!!

Great weather, Great fellowship, Great scouting.

Scoutmaster Corbett