Cody Bailey an eleven year old Boy Scout from Cordova TN has created a blog and Facebook Application to encourage people to send popcorn to military troops stationed overseas. It is the time of year for Boy Scouts to sell popcorn. However Cody Bailey of Cordova, TN will not be going door to door or sitting in front of a grocery store this year. He has launched a full Internet based marketing campaign that has the potential to go viral. Not only does he have a blog, but the young scout has developed a Facebook Application designed to encourage people to buy popcorn to send to US Military personnel stationed overseas.

As Sean Sehl-meyer describes it, an annual “Scout Salute” in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is pretty simple. “You walk up to the flag, then put two fingers in front of your head as if you’re wiping sweat off your forehead, and stand there for about a minute,” said the 9-year-old Cub Scout from Pack 3228 in Rockford. Yet, the symbolism in that simple act is huge when it falls on the ninth anniversary of the hijacked plane crashes that felled the World Trade Center and damaged the Pentagon. “I don’t think we can forget what happened that day,” said Sean’s dad, Kevin Sehlmeyer, chief of training with Grand Rapids Fire Department. “Going down there and saluting is a sign of respect for the people that lost their lives.” The Walker-based Gerald R. Ford Council of the Boy Scouts of America has organized the salute since 2002. It is the only one of its kind in the country, said Aaron Gach, program director.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 1491 planned a journey from the Elwha River to the Dosewalips River this summer in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouting. Scouts hiked for 60 miles, bicycled for 20 miles and canoed the remaining 20. They hiked over four passes — Hayes, Constance, Marmot and Buckhorn — coming out at the Upper Little Quilcene trailhead and biking to Quilcene where canoes were waiting for the final phase of the journey. Seven Scouts completed the entire trip, with others joining for different sections.

When Boy Scouts of America announced inductees to the group’s 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership, Warner Robins resident Charles Singleton was among nearly 300 chosen for the award. “It’s a huge honor,” Singleton said. “Just being nominated is an honor, so I am very humbled by the award.” Singleton has been a leader with Troop 566 for the past 45 years. He was chosen for the award because of his dedication to the enthusiasm for the Boy Scouts of America and the youth of Central Georgia, according to a news release. He has made a significant difference in the lives of others through the service he has given and the Scouting virtues he has modeled, the release states.

About 11 months ago, Nathan Arno of Morenci was working toward his Eagle Scout award. Arno, now 18, had recruited a group of friends to scrape and paint 580 feet of a wrought iron fence at the entrance to Oak Grove Cemetery in Morenci. On Aug. 3, Arno completed his efforts and achieved the rank of Eagle. He will be honored as part of a Court of Honor at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Morenci American Legion, 9010 Morenci Road. He is the fifth member of his troop to reach the rank of Eagle in the past year. “Everybody is so excited for him,” his mother, Kathy Arno, said. “He finished the fence, which had two broken sections. Roth Manufacturing dug the hole and finished the project in May.” Arno was diagnosed soon after birth with Down syndrome. His parents have encouraged him to experience as much as possible in preparation for life.

Michael T. Smith, of the Milton Ward, Roswell Georgia Stake, offered to help his mother type family history information into a computer data base while she was recovering from surgery. That simple act of kindness lead to national recognition and scholarship opportunities. Michael has been named the 2010 Mable & Lawrence S. Cooke National Eagle Scout Scholar by the Board of Regents and Officers of the National Eagle Scout Association of the Boy Scouts of America and has been awarded a $20,000 scholarship. Michael plans to attend Brigham Young University in the fall, majoring in viola performance.

A local Boy Scout troop will host a remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on Saturday at Firehouse Memorial Park. The township supervisors approved the request by Jeff Baer, Scoutmaster of Troop 141 in Hatfield. Baer told the supervisors it would be an appropriate way to represent Patriots Day. Attendees will begin gathering around 8:30 a.m., according to township Manager Rob Ford. He said an American flag will be raised at 8:46 a.m., the time when the first plane crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center.

Loren Murphy said his father took him to a scouting meeting at the Lothrop School gymnasium when he was 5 or 6. “I don’t know why, but I just stuck in it,” the 17-year-old said. “It’s kind of the friendship bonds I’ve developed over the years, also the opportunities. I’ve been to two national jamborees where 40,000 kids got together in the same place.” Murphy, who is scheduled to be presented his Eagle Scout award next week, has been elected to a national position in the Boy Scouts of America that has never been held by a Vermonter before. He worked his way up through the Order of the Arrow, a scouting honor society, to become one of 52 section chiefs. “My goal is to provide opportunities to other children to get leadership development,” he said. “My duty is, in June or July of next year I’m to put on a leadership development course called a conclave. ... I’m also supposed to go to a national meeting in Dallas in November. We decide how the Order of the Arrow operates, how we function.” Murphy said he represents scouts in Vermont, New York, Connecticut and U.S. military bases in Europe. He said he is inspired by the self-governing nature of groups.

Fernando Espinosa always thought of his Boy Scout experience as a way to learn about leadership and helping others. But he never expected his 10 years of scouting to help him become a hero. On Jan. 22, without thinking twice, Espinosa pushed teacher Glenda Tanner, 47, out of the way of a car at a crosswalk in front of Franklin High School. The car struck Espinosa, who received a head injury from the windshield and hurt his left knee. "It was complete instinct because it was just so quick," he said. "I think all of the experiences I've had helped me. I remember after being hit, checking on Mrs. Tanner and telling myself to just breathe and stay calm." For his bravery, Espinosa, 17, will be awarded the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms on Friday at the Centennial Scouting Alumni Dinner.

Tahoe City Boy Scout Troop 266 spent their one week summer camp on the North Shore all right, but not Lake Tahoe's North Shore. They attended Camp Pupukea on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Scouts from Troop 266 with the rank of First Class and higher were able to attend this Boy Scout Camp. While at camp the Scouts participated in the Hawaiiana Award Program. This award is unique to the Aloha Boy Scout Council. The program is designed to educate Scouts about Hawaiian heritage.

After 70 miles of hiking and camping for roughly a week in the blazing West Texas heat, 15-year-old Paul Trujillo sat on top of a mesa with other members of his Austin Boy Scout troop. They talked about big things their greatest fears, hopes and aspirations. "It was a laying bare of the soul," said Trujillo, now 27. "The several adults and the youth all talked like equals, and that was the first time that I considered the fact that I was growing up, and that made a really big impression on me." Two years later at age 17, Trujillo became an Eagle Scout, the highest honor awarded by the Boy Scouts of America, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. One Eagle Scout in a family is rare. The Trujillo family has four — and one more on the way. Paul was followed by Todd, 25, Patrick, 22, and Aaron, 18. The youngest of the five Trujillo sons, 16-year-old Adam, will be next.

The Wellston Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to have its annual Chamber Appreciation Banquet on October 16. This year, the Wellston Chamber will recognize Giovanni's of Wellston as the Business of the Year, Wellston Auditor Tom Baker as Man of the Year, and the Boy Scouts of America as the organization of the year. "This event is very important to us as a group. We really want to show these local businesses and people how much we appreciate them in our community," said Sam Brady, Wellston Chamber of Commerce President. Boy Scouts of America were chosen as the Organization of the Year, and will be represented by Troop 57. Longevity is a factor in their selection as well, as this is the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

The James Huey Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution is accepting applications for their annual Eagle Scout Essay Competition. The deadline for submitting an entry for this competition is Nov. 30. The winner of the S.A.R. local chapter competition receives a medal and a $100 cash prize, and is automatically entered in the S.A.R. state competition. The winner of the state competition receives a $500 U.S. savings bond and a trophy and is automatically entered in the National Society's Eagle Scout Competition and vies for $14,000 in college scholarships.

From sun-up to sun-down on September 11th, area scouts from the Gerarld R. Ford Council of the Boy Scouts of America willl be in constant salute at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Special guest Ken Groenveld will speak at 8:45am. Groenveld is a Deputy US Marshall, who was serving on special assignment in New York City on September 11th 2001. At noon, there will be a luncheon in honor of local emergency repsonders sponsored by Davenport University. New this year is "Write a Letter to a Soldier." From 7:15am to 8:00pm people can write letters to those serving abroad on special cards.

Champions resident, Chris Brown, is racing towards completing the requirements to one of the Boy Scout’s most honored titles, the Eagle Scout. At only 13, he is considered advanced along his way. Chris’ drive to achieve the Eagle Scout rank is partly motivated by a closing timetable. If he finishes within the year, he receives a rare additional honor. He will be recognized as a 2010 Centennial Eagle Scout. A Centennial Eagle ranking recognizes not only Brown’s dedication to scouting values, but also celebrates the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America. “One of the most challenging parts is completing the Eagle community service project. Chris is the leader of the project and has to raise donated funds, materials, and recruit volunteers from the community,” Chris’s father, Peter Brown said. “He has literally put hundreds of hours into this.”

UPS Foundation officials said the grant will go toward the Boy Scouts of America Natural Resources Conservation Local Council Grants. Specifically, the money will be used to help educate youth on the positive impact they can have on the environment through conservation. Councils will apply for $10,000 grants in support of project development and implementation of new conservation programs or initiatives.

Boy Scout Troop #175 Scoutmaster John Mazur, along with Committee Chairman David Okun have announced that Christopher Vick of the troop has achieved the highest rank in Scouting. Vick has successfully completed his Eagle Scout project. He will be honored at the special Eagle Court of Honors, scheduled to take place later in the year. Vick worked in conjunction with the Niles Lions Club to construct six new wooden drop-boxes for eyeglasses and hearing aids. These boxes will be placed at locations in the Village of Niles with the intent of securing more donations for the less fortunate in the community. Eagle Scout Vick joins his brother, Ronald, and fellow Eagle Scout at Troop 175, completing 27 Merit badges on his way to becoming the 41th Eagle and 23rd Eagle Scout from Troop 175 since 2000.

A school bus full of children sat in a snowdrift, unable to move. As the snow piled up and nervous children panicked, a lone student took charge by rigging the telegraph wires to signal for help, a skill he learned as a Boy Scout. That's the story in the book Larry Harper read as a young boy that changed his life. From that day onward, Harper knew he wanted to be one of the heroic, quick-thinking few of the Boy Scouts of America. So few in fact, there wasn't even a Scouting group in Hall County at the time. Lake Lanier was just filling up, and with the arrival of the U.S. Army Corps came the son of an engineer who, too, wanted to be a Scout. The two became some of the first members of Troop No. 43 in the Sardis community. The year was 1957. Harper's list of achievements with the Scouts is longer than most people's entire resume. And he's proud to talk about why he loves Scouting. "I love the people. If they make a commitment, they will follow through - every time," he said.

Michael Sherry received his Eagle Scout Award, Boy Scouting's highest honor, in a ceremony on June 22, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Canton. Sherry is a member of Venture Crew 138. For his Eagle Leadership Project, Michael worked at Quail Hollow State Park to eradicate an invasive plant species. Michael worked with other Scouts in his troop to remove 10-foot high reeds and prepare the ground for weed control. Michael will attend Kent State University where he will study criminal justice and psychology.

The Sushi Patrol of Troop 1925 of the Georgia-Carolina Boy Scout Council returned from the 2010 National Scout Jamboree with an honor. The patrol's flag was recognized as one of the top three in the Southern region during the jamboree, which was held July 26 to Aug. 4 at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. "I think it made us feel pretty good about ourselves and proud that we were able to accomplish this feat," said 13-year-old C.B. Wren, who made the flag. His home troop is North Augusta Troop 7. The Georgia-Carolina Council took 66 scouts from its troops and created two troops specifically for the jamboree, said Jeremy Whitmore, assistant scout executive for the council.