Scouts Attend Jamboree

Hometown Reporter, Troop 826

Verdugo Hills Council

Imagine seeing more than 47,000 Boy Scouts all in one place. This is what you would have seen if you had attended the 2005 National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. An arena show brought together more than 45,000 Scouts and Scouters, as well as an additional 30,000 staff and visitors.

James Fletcher, a 16-year-old Eagle Scout, stated, “I was thoroughly amazed at the number of people there were. I had never seen that many people in one place before in my whole life.”

Troop 826 from the Verdugo Hills council sent 36 Scouts and four Scout leaders.

Scouts from all over the United States attended, as well as some from Canada, South Africa, England, Asia and various other parts around the world.

The arena show kicked-off with a warm welcome from President George W. Bush, who addressed the Jamboree Scouts and stated what a key role we play in making this country better. The crowd was ecstatic in seeing and hearing Bush’s encouragement in Scouting and his blessings upon the things the Boy Scouts perform. “I enjoyed the opportunity to see a man as influential as Mr. Bush and hear him speak about the values of scouting.” said Chris Saunders, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout.

Following President Bush’s appearance were various musical performances by the Fort AP Hill rock band that incorporated some songs known by most teenagers today, such as “Take on Me” originally done by A-ha and Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

The show continued on as the night grew longer, and everyone eagerly awaited the firework display. Thousands of candles were lit in a ceremony to celebrate our freedom, accompanied by the song “Proud to Be an American.” After, they were swaying in unison.

Finally the fireworks, along with a laser show, illuminated the night sky. We all watched in awe as fireworks from two separate locations launched simultaneously to show a magnificent array of colors and flashes. The 20-minute firework display ended in a ground-rumbling finale with hundreds of rockets whizzing through the air until they explode into a beautiful flower of red, blue and green fire.