Janice
07-26-2005, 09:36 AM
Four Boy Scout Leaders Die in Electrical Accident
Organizers Vow to Continue With Annual Jamboree in Virginia
BOWLING GREEN, Va. (July 26) (AP) - The Boy Scouts of America vowed to continue their Jamboree despite the death of four adult Scout leaders in an electrical accident while setting up camp on the opening day.
"The Jamboree will go on," said spokeswoman Renee Fairrer.
The four leaders who died Monday afternoon were from an Alaska troop. One other leader from Alaska and two contract workers were hospitalized in stable condition. No Boy Scouts were seriously injured.
Little information on the incident was released Monday by officials with the Jamboree, being held at the Army's Fort A.P. Hill about an hour south of Washington, D.C. Army officials are assisting with the investigation.
Caroline County Sheriff A.A. "Tony" Lippa Jr. told The Washington Post that a preliminary investigation indicated a tent pole had struck a power line but authorities had not determined how it happened. "We're not sure if the poles shifted," he said.
One of the fatalities was identified as Ron Bitzer, a retired administrative judge and assistant scoutmaster of Troop 129 of Anchorage, according to troop scoutmaster Ken Schoolcraft.
"Scouting was what he loved. He spent many, many, many hours working with Scouting," Schoolcraft said. "It was a way for him to help others."
The names of the other victims were not released Monday night.
Fairrer said the Boy Scouts would do something to honor those who were killed. "We are family, and this is like something has happened to four members of our family," she said. "We are all hurting."
Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski issued a statement offering his condolences to the victims' family members and troop members.
"These individuals were killed while serving Alaska's young people -- and I admire and thank them for that service," he said.
The deaths came a day after a Boy Scouts volunteer from North Carolina was taken to a hospital where he died of an apparent heart attack, Fairrer said.
Most Scouts seemed unaware of the deaths Monday night, preparing dinner at their posts and getting ready for Tuesday's activities. An opening ceremony was scheduled for the morning.
The Alaska Scouts were moved to another area where chaplains and grief counselors were made available.
The Jamboree runs through Aug. 3 with President Bush scheduled to speak Wednesday evening. Scouts ages 12-18 are to spend 10 days camping in tents and doing activities that include archery, fishing and a GPS-based scavenger hunt.
The Boy Scouts of America have held the event since 1937 with the next gathering set for 2010, the Scouts' 100th anniversary. It may not be held at Fort A.P. Hill, which has hosted the event since 1981.
A federal judge recently ruled that the Pentagon can no longer financially support the event. If the ruling stands, the Boy Scouts would have to find another location for their next gathering.
A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois contends that the Defense Department's sponsorship violates the First Amendment because the Scouts require members to swear an oath of duty to God.
http://cdn.news.aol.com/aolnews_articles/01/07/20050725200109990004.42e5e23a-0037c-03424-6e89bccd
Utility workers shut off power lines after the accident at the 2005 Jamboree.
Organizers Vow to Continue With Annual Jamboree in Virginia
BOWLING GREEN, Va. (July 26) (AP) - The Boy Scouts of America vowed to continue their Jamboree despite the death of four adult Scout leaders in an electrical accident while setting up camp on the opening day.
"The Jamboree will go on," said spokeswoman Renee Fairrer.
The four leaders who died Monday afternoon were from an Alaska troop. One other leader from Alaska and two contract workers were hospitalized in stable condition. No Boy Scouts were seriously injured.
Little information on the incident was released Monday by officials with the Jamboree, being held at the Army's Fort A.P. Hill about an hour south of Washington, D.C. Army officials are assisting with the investigation.
Caroline County Sheriff A.A. "Tony" Lippa Jr. told The Washington Post that a preliminary investigation indicated a tent pole had struck a power line but authorities had not determined how it happened. "We're not sure if the poles shifted," he said.
One of the fatalities was identified as Ron Bitzer, a retired administrative judge and assistant scoutmaster of Troop 129 of Anchorage, according to troop scoutmaster Ken Schoolcraft.
"Scouting was what he loved. He spent many, many, many hours working with Scouting," Schoolcraft said. "It was a way for him to help others."
The names of the other victims were not released Monday night.
Fairrer said the Boy Scouts would do something to honor those who were killed. "We are family, and this is like something has happened to four members of our family," she said. "We are all hurting."
Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski issued a statement offering his condolences to the victims' family members and troop members.
"These individuals were killed while serving Alaska's young people -- and I admire and thank them for that service," he said.
The deaths came a day after a Boy Scouts volunteer from North Carolina was taken to a hospital where he died of an apparent heart attack, Fairrer said.
Most Scouts seemed unaware of the deaths Monday night, preparing dinner at their posts and getting ready for Tuesday's activities. An opening ceremony was scheduled for the morning.
The Alaska Scouts were moved to another area where chaplains and grief counselors were made available.
The Jamboree runs through Aug. 3 with President Bush scheduled to speak Wednesday evening. Scouts ages 12-18 are to spend 10 days camping in tents and doing activities that include archery, fishing and a GPS-based scavenger hunt.
The Boy Scouts of America have held the event since 1937 with the next gathering set for 2010, the Scouts' 100th anniversary. It may not be held at Fort A.P. Hill, which has hosted the event since 1981.
A federal judge recently ruled that the Pentagon can no longer financially support the event. If the ruling stands, the Boy Scouts would have to find another location for their next gathering.
A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois contends that the Defense Department's sponsorship violates the First Amendment because the Scouts require members to swear an oath of duty to God.
http://cdn.news.aol.com/aolnews_articles/01/07/20050725200109990004.42e5e23a-0037c-03424-6e89bccd
Utility workers shut off power lines after the accident at the 2005 Jamboree.