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by Joseph Gale Dorsey (Author)
PHILMONT "Journey of a Boy Scout Troop" Be Prepared is a true story about a all Black Boy Scout Troop that intergrated the largest all white Boy Scout camping facility in nthe world during Segregation in the 1960's.The Black Scouts participated in Training and Survival missions in the back country wilderness venues and mountain terrains while on a (50) mile training and survival mission. Their ordeal back home to train and prepare for their Philmont experience, their fundraising efforts to pay for the cost of the trip to Philmont, sacrificies made by their family, the church leadership and members, community businesses and neighbors to assist these scouts in reaching their Goal: Making it to Philmont. These Boy Scouts were the Best of the Best; they were recommended by their respective Scoutmasters and Troop Committee members. They came from all regions of the State of Louisiana. Large cities and small Bayou communities. During this time in American History "Segregation" was alive and being practiced at all secondary Schools, Universities, Bus lines, Trains, Hotels and Restraurants, Beaches, Movie Theaters, Water fountains and Bathrooms, Swimming Pools and Boy Scout and Girl Scout Camping Facilities and Troops. No-Colored/Negroes meant just that."Jim Crow" Law was the law of the land. Things were seperate yet not equal during those years. Just as other Civil Rights activist and leaders stepped forward so did this All Black Boy Scout Troop Contingent E-815 and their adult leadership led by Scoutmaster Earl "Molee" Sims from West Lake Charles, Louisiana, Scoutmaster Fred White from Scotlandville, Louisiana, Scoutmasters Alfred Mims, Thomas Mack and Frank Scott all from Clinton, Louisiana. The experiences and training endured at "Philmont" was part of these young Scouts "Life's Journey. It taught them to be Self-Reliant while building Integrity and Character and Perpetuated their Faith and Freedom to help mold and shape Boys into young Men upon their return to Base Camp after a (9)day ordeal in the backcountry at Philmont Scout Ranch. They fully understood the principles that were used by the American Pioneer, they Appreciated the inspiration of Nature and Leave No Trace, working with the Guidiance of thoughtful adults and sharing the experience with others that would last a "Lifetime". Our intergration and participation movement opened the door for other All Black Troops to attend "Philmont" many years later led by Scoutmaster Donald Shelmire and his (2) Eagle Scout sons from Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church, Scotlandville, Louisiana. E-815 Troop Team Members were informed upon our return home by our Scoutmasters that the real purpose of our "Journey" besides the Scouting experience was to prepare all of us for the "Vietnam War" that came two years after our Journey to Philmont. Twelve scouts of the twenty-one went to "Vietnam". Ten scouts of Expedition E-815 were Eagle Scouts.
