This past weekend Den 5 of Pack 331 in Holmdel went to Sea Girt to visit the New Jersey National Guard Training Facility.  Sgt. Gerald O’Rourke was the main tour guide and actually made the Scouts do push-ups when they arrived!  

Sergeant O’Rourke explained that The National Guard is made up of civilian soldiers. He gave a brief introduction about being a soldier, and how there are many similarities between Scouts and Soldiers. 

The Scouts also learned that the Guardsmen can be called up for active duty by both the Governor and the President, and can be deployed nationally as well as overseas.    Sergeant O’Rourke stated that the NJ National Guard was recently mobilized to help out during Hurricane Irene.

The Scouts then took a tour of the installation and the Militia Museum, and got to see helicopters, tanks, trucks, a sub that held six people, and even a Civil War canon!! They also got to eat lunch in the mess hall with the soldiers.

In order to earn the Civilian merit badge the Scouts needed to learn many things about the American Flag and why it is so important. One of the National Guard soldiers demonstrated how to fold, hang, salute and properly retire a flag. The soldier told the Scouts that they were the smartest group of kids that he has ever had on a tour!
If you want to check out the website for the museum, type in: http://www.nj.gov/military/museum/

Holmdel Patch welcomes reports of your adventures! Tell us what your group is up to, and don't forget the photos. Email christina.johnson@patch.com.