To the Editor:

To paraphrase Mark Twain, “The reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated.”

The recent event during the Nov. 9 meeting of the Sandwich City Council to donate $500 to Plano Boy Scout Troop 71 has created quite a buzz. I believe, inadvertently, it has also created a lot of misinformation regarding Sandwich Boy Scout Troop 45. I wish to set the record straight and provide some insight from the Scoutmaster’s point of view.

I want to thank the Sandwich City Council for recognizing the importance of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and what they mean to America’s youth and our leaders of tomorrow. How they recognized that importance has been up for public debate, especially on social media for the last week or so.

First, one misconception is that Troop 45 is no longer active in the BSA and has merged into Troop 71 of Plano. Troop 45 is proudly chartered by the Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge No. 1016 in Sandwich. Troop 45 has been an active troop for more than 50 years. Troop 45 is on the verge of achieving the Journey to Excellence Gold Level Award for the fifth consecutive year.

Troop 71 has been proudly chartered by the American Legion of Plano for many years, and also offers a quality program for the youth of their troop. We compete each year for new members, many of which are members of the Sandwich Cub Scout Pack 345. Troop 71 has actively recruited Sandwich Cub Scouts for many years. Thus, we must continue to offer a quality program to attract these scouts.

Second, “the last I heard, Troop 45 was not active at the district level and no one wants to work with them.” I can attest for the last five years of continuous involvement at both the district and council level, with the Three Fires Council. We are well represented at all levels.

Third, Troop 45 is very active in the community, participating in the Adopt-a-Highway program, events with the VFW and many other organizations, including the Sandwich Park District in promoting their community events throughout the year. We have been featured in more than one of their publications, reflecting the mutual support of our programs.

Finally, I respectfully request that the members of the community of Sandwich (and apparently beyond) who want to pursue an agenda against either the aldermen and mayor of the city of Sandwich or its employees, please do so on their own. We prefer to keep Troop 45 out of the mix.

Troop 45 meets at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at the Sandwich Moose Lodge, or stop by our Christmas tree lot beginning Thanksgiving weekend. We also offer a variety of wreaths and greens for your holiday decorating.

Thank you for your continued support of Sandwich BSA Troop 45.

Glen A. Parks

Scoutmaster Troop 45, Sandwich