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Weekend Scout Camp-Out Salutes Veterans

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Weekend Scout Camp-Out Salutes Veterans

More than 300 Boy Scouts from 17 troops camped out at Fairfield Hills last weekend in a camporee co-sponsored by the Scatacook District of the Yankee Council and the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard.

During the day the scouts were joined by more than 150 Cub Scouts who came to participate in the programs that focused on the celebration of Veterans’ Day.

Donald Monckton, scoutmaster of Troop 770 of Newtown, was the event organizer, assisted by Jay Lubin of Troop 76 of Ridgefield and Randy Link of Troop 116 in Ridgefield. Mr Monckton, who also is a member of VFW Post 308, led the Veterans’ Day ceremony.

After an overnight campout in the rain Friday night, the scouts assembled in a field at 10 am Saturday for the opening flag ceremony and the presentation of Toys for Tots gifts to the Marine Corps Reserve unit from Ridgefield. Led by the mounted horse guard, the scouts then paraded to the VFW Post 308 at Tinkerfield Road where a Veterans’ Day ceremony was held with VFW and American Legion members. A reproduction of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, made by Troop 270, was featured at the ceremony and later was set up in a field at Fairfield Hills. There the troop members took turns marching and guarding the tomb, changing the guard every half hour.

After lunch, two cadets from West Point spoke to the scouts. There was a display of military vehicles from World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam, as well as a National Guard humvee. Mark Boudreau gave rides to the scouts in a 21/2 -ton Army truck; Kenny Boughton brought a World War II era half-track, and Joe Doucette and son brought World War II vintage and Korean vehicles. Navy Seals spoke to the scouts and, using compasses, presented a program on orienteering. The horse guard gave tours.

In the evening there were church services and a campfire. On Sunday morning, horse guard presented a mounted drill, which was followed by closing ceremonies.

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