{"id":480,"date":"2008-02-01T21:09:13","date_gmt":"2008-02-02T02:09:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/?p=480"},"modified":"2012-01-25T15:17:24","modified_gmt":"2012-01-25T20:17:24","slug":"issue-125-green-zone-scouting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/2008\/02\/issue-125-green-zone-scouting\/","title":{"rendered":"Issue 125 – Green Zone Scouting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here are two \u201cmust read\u201d letters. I will personally guarantee that they are authentic. Make no mistake: We talk about our youth being \u201cthe future of America\u201d\u2014Today, we\u2019re talking about the future of THE WORLD. (Related Videos: Iraqi Scout Day Camp<\/a> | Start of Iraqi Scout Camp<\/a> — right click and download to view) Read on\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Green<\/a><\/p>\n

Dear Andy,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m writing to ask for your support for the Iraqi Scouting program. While deployed in Iraq, I found a group of soldiers and civilians in Baghdad who are rebuilding the Iraqi Scouting program. The program needs various supplies for campouts and activities and would be grateful for any direct donations toward their “wish list.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

You can also help by purchasing a Green Zone Council CSP or Pocket Patch<\/span> for $1000<\/sup><\/span> apiece. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I assure you I\u2019m not doing this for any personal gain. Using my own combat pay (Yes, I personally served a tour in Iraq), I had a patch manufacturer make up 1,150 CSPs and pocket patches, and I\u2019m sending all proceeds to the BSA International Division, with the notation that these funds go to the Iraqi Scouting Program. I have two goals: To raise awareness of this endeavor and need, and to raise $11,50000<\/sup><\/span> for the Iraqi Scouting Program. If you can help, I\u2019d be sincerely grateful <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a letter from 1st<\/sup> Lt Mike Gerson, who\u2019s in Iraq right now and, in his \u201cfree time\u201d is directly involved in the Green Zone. If you’re interested in either, please feel free to contact me. If you can send supplies, please feel free to contact the GCZ directly. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Thank you.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Yours in Scouting,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

John Green
\nCaptain, U.S. ARMY
\n(Eagle Scout Class of \u201891, Troop 391, New Windsor, MD)
\nJohn.Green3@us.army.mil or HawkUH60@aol.com<\/a> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Green<\/a><\/p>\n

Dear Fellow Scouter,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Thank you for your interest in supporting the Green Zone Council! Thanks to people like you, we\u2019re able to advance our Iraqi Scouting mission. The Scouts of Iraq, both children and adults, continually express their gratitude for the support people in America and around the world have provided them. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Green Zone Council (GZC) was founded in 2004 to assist in local efforts to return Iraqi Scouting to its former position of leadership within the Middle East. In this time, we\u2019ve seen more than three dozen members volunteer for varying lengths of time. During their tenure, all have uniformly worked to advance both the short-term objectives and long-term strategic goals of Iraqi Scouting.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Iraqi Scouting Council works under the auspices of the Ministry of Education (MoE) and counts more than 150,000 youth members and several thousand adult leaders in all of Iraq\u2019s 18 provinces. The GZC has been with the MoE every step of the way, helping to raise funds for training and equipment, hosting meetings of senior Iraqi Scouters, and coordinating with the World Scouting Foundation to insure that funds are available to advance organizational goals and missions.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Coalition members of the GZC have periodic events with the local Scouts to help build relationships and generate support for Iraqi Scouting. One of our biggest challenges is extending the program beyond our small secure borders in the International Zone, but hopefully soon with a change in the security situation we\u2019ll be able to extend supplies and events to Scouts in the remaining Baghdad area and throughout Iraq. We already have basic camping supplies\u2014tents sleeping bags, mess kits, lanterns, and coolers\u2014all graciously donated by the Spirit of America, with assistance from the Coleman Company. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Supplies we still need include:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n