I think this was written by Hank Head III after a couple months with the NEW and IMPROVED Troop 111 back in 1984. It is very respectful of the transition but has some great laughs----going on a campout with one leader (Hank Sr. said he would drive--I found out when I got there he did not mean he would camp!), not enough boys for Patrol elections, the Siberian Mud Moose name tradition, Shane kicking over the eggs....
Mike L'Abbe, SM-111
THE REORGANIZATION OF TROOP #111 sponsored by Saint Agnes Church in Arlington, Virginia, began in October, 1984. Mike L'Abbe accepted the position of Scoutmaster from John Manning, Scouting Coordinator, and Hank Head, Sr., Committee Chairman. A Troop meeting was called to hold elections for boy leaders. However, due to the small turnout, only a Senior Patrol Leader was elected: Colin McLaughlin, a Second Class Scout who had been in the Troop for about four years.
At the next meeting, there were seven members present and the Troop split into two patrols. Hank Head was elected as patrol leader of the Rangers (Hank, Toby Metcalfe, and Ray Miller), and David Hudgins was elected PL of the Green Berets (David, Shane McLaughlin, and Drew Trapnell).
Troop 111's first campout under the new organization was to Elizabeth Furnace in the George Washington National Forest. All members of the new patrols were present on a clear crisp October Saturday morning. Hank Head Sr. and Mike L'Abbe drove the Scouts to about a mile from their campground. From there, the patrols carried their packs (such as they were back then), and hiked to their campsites. Colin lurked along the trail to spring a first aid problem on the young Scouts. They passed with flying colors thanks in large measure to their patrol leaders. They also did well with silent signals, map symbols, and managed to see some nature.
That afternoon, the Troop hiked to the top of the Shenandoahs, about 1400 feet above their campsite. We all made it!! Hot dogs were the main meal that evening and eggs and pancakes were the fare next morning. Shane kept kicking over the eggs and David went crazy watching him. All eight of us loaded into Mike's BMW to go to Church that morning, and Mike vowed he would never again go on a campout without a second leader. On the way home, we stopped at a "Big T Burger" place.
Next, our Troop got together with Troop 1967 from Fairfax and Troop 32 from Rotterdam, NY, for a Friday fun night at the King's Park Community School. Games and snacks were the order of the night. Mrs. Trapnell and Mrs. McLaughlin were our drivers that evening.
By then it was December and time for our December Camp in the Orient. The patrols changed from hot dogs to stir-fried oriental food for dinner on that campout. Mike L'Abbe was the Scoutmaster, while Tom Warden, Scott Buxton and 0.J. Barlow were our Assistant Scoutmasters for that trip.
Everyone was there for below-freezing nights along with new members: Brian Greene, Scott Warden, and Jeff Lucier. Besides great food, this camp was marked by a great Capture the Flag game against Troop 107 from Silver Spring. The full moon gave us plenty of light. We slept in cabins, but the bed springs kept us off the floor and cold air circulated all around us. Many of us resolved to get new, warmer sleeping bags.
By this time, the Rangers decided to change their name to the Siberian Mud Moose Patrol -- a traditional patrol name in the Troop. And the Scouts voted on the color of our neckerchief and the type of Scout hat we would wear: our neckerchief is green with gold embroidered trim and our hat is the Scout field (overseas type) cap.
On 17 December, we held the first Court of Honor of the reorganized Troop. Roy Mimms presented Hank Head his Star award. Shane received his Second Class badge. Tenderfoot patches were passed out by John Manning and tbe Scoutmaster invested new Scouts. We also had the privilege of presenting the Eagle medal to former Scout Louis "Wally" Ibarra. Past adult leaders were also honored, including former Scoutmaster Paul des Rosiers and ASM Bobby McCahill. Paul and former Scoutmaster John O'Neill, Jr., presented Wally his Eagle Badge.
The year came to an end with our first annual Christmas Party at Pizza Hut. Mr. L'Abbe took a two month leave to the University of Oklahoma to study for his master's degree. Scott Buxton becarne the Acting Scoutmaster while Mr. L'Abbe was gone; the Troop was very lucky to have him.
- Hank Head, III
You can email Mike at mlabbe@gwi.net.