Germantown Scout Troop Will March Again In Obama's Inaugural Parade
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia-based Boy Scout troop is heading to Washington, DC next month to participate in the 2013 inaugural parade for President Obama.
At 60 years old, Boy Scout Troop 358 of Grace Baptist Church of Germantown is one of the oldest African-American Boy Scout troops in America, says chairman Charles Whiting.
He says 34 young men, ages 11 to 17, plus 11 adults will walk in the parade. And, he adds, they're prepping now.
"We make sure that our uniforms are crisp, we get special jackets for the day, and we practice walking in the parade," Whiting says.
Eagle Scout Christopher Logan, 17, took part when Troop 358 marched in the 2009 inaugural parade, on the historic day that President Obama was sworn in for the first time.
"Of course it was freezing out there," Logan recalls, "but my heart was racing. I couldn't stop smiling!"
He is one of five scouts that will have this encore opportunity to represent his city and his troop on Inauguration Day.
"It's not only really, really thrilling for me and the rest of the boys, it's historical," Logan says.
Whiting says Troop 358 is looking for donations to help cover the cost of the chartered bus that will get them to Washington. Go to gracebaptistgtn.org for more information, or call 215-438-3215.
