metro >> on the
7r‘e Arrowrner and ti-e
cut teaders at the
144:chigen Capitol
Touching
Out-state Scouts learn
about the Holocaust
firsthand from survivors.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
to a new group of witnesses, who, it was
hoped, would return to their communities
having turned the lessons of their history
books into a life-changing experience, was
a captivating thought. It succeeded beyond
the more optimistic expectations.
With the encouragement of Lodge
Adviser Vicki Riley, last August an ini-
tial presentation was made to the Youth
Executive Committee of the Indian Drum
Lodge of the Order of the Arrow (OA).
OA is Scouting's National Honor Society
and members, elected by their Boy Scout
peers, are known to be the most commit-
ted to service in the Scouting community.
Indian Drum is the Lodge of the Scenic
Trails Council in Traverse City. Scenic Trails
represents Boy Scouts in 13 counties in
Northwestern Michigan and runs a great
program.
When the meeting adjourned, without
having yet made a presentation to the entire
Lodge, 16 Executive Committee mem-
bers, all high school Scouts, had signed
up to take the day off from school to go
to Lansing to serve. Without even having
made the Lodge presentation, the largest
number of Scouts ever to have signed on for
this event was in place.
Having decided to cap the spots at 25
youth because of space issues in the capitol
rotunda, a presentation to the Lodge was
made some months later. The cap of 25
Arrowmen was quickly reached. What was
even more incredible was that 18 adult
members of the Lodge had signed up to
attend. And while adults would not have a
role in the ceremony itself, they wished to
be present to meet the survivors and wit-
ness the event.
Forty-three Scouts and adult leaders
from 15 towns in Northwestern Michigan,
Allen Olender I Special to the Jewish News
many driving an hour or more to Traverse
City to take the bus leaving from the
Council office, headed to Lansing.
The Michigan Jewish Conference wel-
comed the group to Lansing, providing
snacks and breakfast to the Scouts who had
spent the night on cots at the armory. A
surprise early morning visit by U.S. Army
Gen. Mike Stone who met and spoke with
the Scouts highlighted the start of the day.
Then it was off to the capitol for a pre-
ceremony tour hosted by Senior Deputy
Director of Military and Veterans Affairs
and former Traverse City State Sen. Jason
Allen, who is an Eagle Scout and himself a
member of the Indian Drum Lodge.
The tour provided an insider's view of
the Capitol and its workings. Complete with
an introduction in the State Senate, a visit
with Eagle Scout House Majority Leader
James lase" Bolger and photos with Lt. Gov.
Brian Galley, it was a unique look at the
operation of the state government as well as
the historic beauty of the Michigan Capitol
building itself.
Meeting The Survivors
At 11 a.m., the bus with the Holocaust sur-
vivors arrived. The 25 Arrowmen eagerly
awaited the opportunity to escort each and
every one into the capitol. This is what this
trip was all about.
Gently assisting them and introducing
themselves, these young Scouts viewed this
duty as their sacred mission this day. After
escorting the survivors upstairs and into
the rotunda area, the Scouts' Honor Guard
lined up to bring in the U.S. and state flags,
lead the Pledge of Allegiance and join in the
singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Rep. Vicki Barnett, D-Farmington Hills,
led the program, which featured many great
Touching History on page 10
8
May 3 2012