An Arnold soldier and Sherwood Elementary father who is currently serving in Iraq is also a member of the Iraqi Green Zone Counsel.  This group is helping bring Scouting back to Iraq.  He recently emailed out a letter asking for help...

From: Cole, Ronald B SMSGT MNFI STRATOPS JPRC [mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ]
Subject: Good Day from Baghdad

Ladies and Gentlemen of River Trails District,

I wanted to drop you a line and say hello from Baghdad, Iraq. I'm the representative that normally shows up to the district round table meetings in BDUs for pack 557 - Sherwood Elementary. I know a lot of people were concerned about me and I wanted to let you all know that I am well. I'm really proud of the efforts that we are doing here and specifically the job I'm doing, which is getting missing / captured soldiers and other coalition personnel home to their families.

I also have pride in my Den, Pack, River Trails, and GSLAC, which brings me to another point. While I have been here I have been taking part in the Iraqi Green Zone Counsel, which is the main group trying to get Iraq's scouting program back its WOSM status. We are currently vetting the Iraqi Scouting Charter and making sure nothing is lost in translation. The next step is to submit it to the World Scouting Organization which should happen next week.

There are very few supplies and equipment here available for the scouts to use. It was either blown up or looted during the war. So we are trying to replace as much as we can. All the members of the GCS have donated money out of our pockets to try to get things rolling to purchase supplies and equipment. We have some, but obviously need more. That's where you come in. No Pressure! :-)

I have attached two documents; one which shows the history of Iraqi scouting - much different than ours in the U.S. (thanks to the ACLU), and a spreadsheet of requested items by the scout leaders here in Baghdad. Do we do any service projects out of the packs or troops that could collect items that are identified on the spreadsheet? If not could there be a donation of $ made to purchase the items over here for them? I'm open to any suggestions. All of us on the GCS are asking our own councils for help in alleviating the shortfall.

I personally think this is a great opportunity for The River Trails District in Jefferson County Missouri to do something with "Global Impact" for needy fellow scouts half a world away. Let me know what you think and I'll pass it on in the GCS.

Don't be alarmed by all of the things on the spreadsheet. You have to remember that these children have nothing. They are starting from scratch. Their parents (if they have both - a lot of Fathers missing) live on less than $50.00 per week and don't have any luxuries. If we don't get them started - it may never happen. If we would lose the opportunity to instill scouting values into this next generation of people - this is going to take a lot longer. Believe me... every time a mortar shell goes off here in the compound - I want everyone in this country to have our values.

Say Hi to everyone for me and thank them for supporting the guys over here and the mission we are on. I'm honored to know and work with you all.

Pack 557 / Den 2 Leader / River Trails Round Table Member
SMSgt Ronald Brent "Chia" Cole, USAF
MNFI STRATOPS JPRC INTEL
US Embassy Annex, Baghdad
DSN 318-239-9318
SVIOP 243-2198
MCI 914-360-0386

If you're interested in helping, you can contact the above mentioned individuals, or myself here at Arnold Talk.

Link to Iraqi History Document  

Link to Items Requested Document  

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