To the Illowa Council Scouting Community:

We are all saddened and heartbroken over the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast. We will keep our thoughts and prayers with the victims of this tragedy as they continue to struggle and begin to regain their day-to-day operations.

We have learned that nine Scout Councils in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama were directly affected by the storm. Six council service centers have been forced to completely discontinue all operations, and the Southeast Louisiana Council service center near New Orleans is currently flooded.

Damage reports from council camps have not yet been confirmed, but as we know from all media sources, massive destruction was incurred throughout the area.

You can help.

Relief organizations such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army are integral partners with us in our Good Turn For America efforts. These two organizations are prepared to move forward to meet the human services needs of those affected by this unprecedented disaster in America. We would encourage you to make contributions directly to either of these organizations.

Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org/
Salvation Army - http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

Scouting Units that want to help

Many Scouting Units have expressed their interest in helping those affected by this tragedy along the gulf coast. There are numerous ways you can help. Visit http://www.scouting.org/ to find out how.

Direct Support to Scouting in the Affected Area

Scouting has been devastated in the Gulf Coast region of our country. Local council employees in this area who have devoted their careers to the mental and physical development of America's youth have lost their homes, all their personal belongings, and in some cases, their jobs. They need your help!

The National Council has formed the Hurricane Katrina BSA Employee Relief Fund. Contributions to this fund will be used to meet the needs of local council employees and their families.

Visit http://www.scoutingfriends.org/ to make a contribution.

Thank you for your generosity and commitment to supporting those of our nation that need our help the most. Please pray for their protection, strength, and well being.


Sincerely,

John Mosby - Scout Executive
Illowa Council, Boy Scouts of America
Email: mosbyj@illowabsa.org
Phone: 563-388-7233
Web: http://www.illowabsa.org/

Saturday, July 9, 2005

Genesis dietician headed to Iraq
By Steven Martens

A year ago, Polly Graham of Blue Grass, Iowa, welcomed her husband, Chief Warrant Officer Kirk Graham, home from 18 months of service in Iraq with the Iowa National Guard's 106th Aviation unit.

Now, it's her turn to serve in the Middle East.

Polly, 48, chief clinical dietician at Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport, and a 16-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves, will leave July 18 to serve as head dietician for the 3rd Corps Support Command, overseeing meals in camps and on Middle East battlefields.

She said her job will include inspecting the sanitary conditions of dining facilities and ensuring that the troops' food is safe and provides them with proper nutrition.

Graham said she will be only the third person to serve in the relatively new post. The job is part of the military's efforts to improve nutrition programs, which were primitive in the early days of the Iraq war, she said.

"They did not have any variety," she added. "Maybe they had green beans for a month."

She said proper nutrition and hydration are critical for troops fighting in the desert.

"You can't function and do your job if you aren't fed properly," she added.

For the Grahams, the military always has been a way of life. Polly said her husband was on active duty with the Army during the early years of their marriage, forcing them to move frequently throughout the United States and Germany. When they decided to settle down and raise their family, Kirk retired from active duty and joined the Guard. Polly soon discovered that she missed the military life.

"Being a spouse with him on active duty, I really enjoyed the community and the atmosphere," she said.

She recalled the day when her supervisor at the hospital received a letter from the Army Reserves looking for volunteers to serve as dieticians. She said the supervisor read the letter aloud and threw it away. She fished the letter out of the garbage and signed up.

Now, she is ready to be Maj. Graham full-time for the next two years and put her years of training to the test.

Her husband says he reacted to the news about her activation with a combination of excitement for his wife and fear for her safety. He has told her to stay busy and stay safe.

"She's ready to go," he added. "She knows what she needs to do. She's going to step up to the plate."

He said his biggest concern is the travel from camp to camp that her job will require.

"When you're right there on the installation, you're basically safe," he said. "Once you step outside of that gate, you have to be ready to fight at any time."

Polly Graham is confident her husband knows what he has to do to take care of their two children, Jennifer, 21, and Jay, 15, while she is gone.

She said other people have told her they are concerned how the tour of duty will change her.

"If it changes me, I guess it was meant to be, and I just hope it is in a positive way," she said. "And I think it will be."

Graham said she will have to remind herself continually to take time for rest and to take care of herself.

"It's not like doing shift work where someone will come and relieve me," she said. "I am the only person."

Graham recently was selected the 2005 Outstanding Dietician of the Year by the Iowa Dietetic Association. She was scheduled to accept the award in November. That will just have to wait until she comes home.

Troop 43
Spring Court of Honor

Sunday May 22, 2005

Buffalo Bill Shelter
Scott County Park

Please make plans to join the troop for this end-of-the-year Pot Luck and Awards Picnic

Plans are to begin eating at 1:00 p.m.
Awards Presentation to follow

Each family is asked to provide:

Your own meat (grills will be provided)

A salad or vegetable to share

Last name A-G: Chips to share

Last name H-Z: Dessert to share

Your own table service

Lawn chairs (Picnic tables are also available)

Beverages will be provided.

This is the end of a troop camp out weekend.
Families are invited to camp with the troop.
Families need to provide their own equipment and food for the weekend.
It is a regular campout for the boys - $6.50 for the food.