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07-26-2005, 11:04 AM
Four Boy Scout Leaders Die in Va. Accident
Tuesday July 26, 2005 1:46 PM
AP Photo VARM101
By MICHAEL FELBERBAUM
Associated Press Writer
BOWLING GREEN, Va. (AP) - Chaplains and grief counselors were on hand Tuesday for Boy Scouts coming to grips with the deaths of four adult Scout leaders killed on the opening day of their Jamboree when a tent pole apparently struck a power line.
The four leaders who died Monday afternoon were from an Alaska troop. One other leader from Alaska and two contract workers were hospitalized in stable condition. No Boy Scouts were seriously injured.
Little detail on the incident was released Monday by officials with the Jamboree, being held at the Army's Fort A.P. Hill about an hour south of Washington, D.C. Army officials are assisting with the investigation.
Caroline County Sheriff A.A. ``Tony'' Lippa Jr. told NBC's ``Today'' show on Tuesday that the incident appeared to be an accident. He said that he could not comment on the specific circumstances surrounding the pitching of the tent while an investigation remains under way.
One of the fatalities was identified as Ron Bitzer, a retired administrative judge and assistant scoutmaster of Troop 129 of Anchorage, according to troop scoutmaster Ken Schoolcraft.
``Scouting was what he loved. He spent many, many, many hours working with Scouting,'' Schoolcraft said. ``It was a way for him to help others.''
The names of the other victims were not released Monday night.
Spokeswoman Renee Fairrer said the Boy Scouts would do something to honor those who were killed. ``We are family, and this is like something has happened to four members of our family,'' she said. ``We are all hurting.''
Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski issued a statement offering his condolences to the victims' family members and troop members.
``These individuals were killed while serving Alaska's young people - and I admire and thank them for that service,'' he said.
A message left with the base by The Associated Press was not immediately returned early Tuesday.
The deaths came a day after a Boy Scout volunteer from North Carolina was taken to a hospital where he died of an apparent heart attack, Fairrer said.
Most Scouts seemed unaware of the deaths Monday night, preparing dinner at their posts and getting ready for Tuesday's activities. An opening ceremony was scheduled for the morning.
``The Jamboree will go on,'' said Fairrer.
The Alaska Scouts were moved to another area where chaplains and grief counselors were made available.
The Jamboree runs through Aug. 3 with President Bush scheduled to speak Wednesday evening. Scouts ages 12-18 are to spend 10 days camping in tents and doing activities that include archery, fishing and a GPS-based scavenger hunt.
The Boy Scouts of America have held the event since 1937 with the next gathering set for 2010, the Scouts' 100th anniversary. It may not be held at Fort A.P. Hill, which has hosted the event since 1981.
A federal judge recently ruled that the Pentagon can no longer financially support the event. If the ruling stands, the Boy Scouts would have to find another location for their next gathering.
A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois contends that the Defense Department's sponsorship violates the First Amendment because the Scouts require members to swear an oath of duty to God.
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Associated Press Writer Jeannette J. Lee contributed to this report from Anchorage, Alaska.
Tuesday July 26, 2005 1:46 PM
AP Photo VARM101
By MICHAEL FELBERBAUM
Associated Press Writer
BOWLING GREEN, Va. (AP) - Chaplains and grief counselors were on hand Tuesday for Boy Scouts coming to grips with the deaths of four adult Scout leaders killed on the opening day of their Jamboree when a tent pole apparently struck a power line.
The four leaders who died Monday afternoon were from an Alaska troop. One other leader from Alaska and two contract workers were hospitalized in stable condition. No Boy Scouts were seriously injured.
Little detail on the incident was released Monday by officials with the Jamboree, being held at the Army's Fort A.P. Hill about an hour south of Washington, D.C. Army officials are assisting with the investigation.
Caroline County Sheriff A.A. ``Tony'' Lippa Jr. told NBC's ``Today'' show on Tuesday that the incident appeared to be an accident. He said that he could not comment on the specific circumstances surrounding the pitching of the tent while an investigation remains under way.
One of the fatalities was identified as Ron Bitzer, a retired administrative judge and assistant scoutmaster of Troop 129 of Anchorage, according to troop scoutmaster Ken Schoolcraft.
``Scouting was what he loved. He spent many, many, many hours working with Scouting,'' Schoolcraft said. ``It was a way for him to help others.''
The names of the other victims were not released Monday night.
Spokeswoman Renee Fairrer said the Boy Scouts would do something to honor those who were killed. ``We are family, and this is like something has happened to four members of our family,'' she said. ``We are all hurting.''
Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski issued a statement offering his condolences to the victims' family members and troop members.
``These individuals were killed while serving Alaska's young people - and I admire and thank them for that service,'' he said.
A message left with the base by The Associated Press was not immediately returned early Tuesday.
The deaths came a day after a Boy Scout volunteer from North Carolina was taken to a hospital where he died of an apparent heart attack, Fairrer said.
Most Scouts seemed unaware of the deaths Monday night, preparing dinner at their posts and getting ready for Tuesday's activities. An opening ceremony was scheduled for the morning.
``The Jamboree will go on,'' said Fairrer.
The Alaska Scouts were moved to another area where chaplains and grief counselors were made available.
The Jamboree runs through Aug. 3 with President Bush scheduled to speak Wednesday evening. Scouts ages 12-18 are to spend 10 days camping in tents and doing activities that include archery, fishing and a GPS-based scavenger hunt.
The Boy Scouts of America have held the event since 1937 with the next gathering set for 2010, the Scouts' 100th anniversary. It may not be held at Fort A.P. Hill, which has hosted the event since 1981.
A federal judge recently ruled that the Pentagon can no longer financially support the event. If the ruling stands, the Boy Scouts would have to find another location for their next gathering.
A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois contends that the Defense Department's sponsorship violates the First Amendment because the Scouts require members to swear an oath of duty to God.
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Associated Press Writer Jeannette J. Lee contributed to this report from Anchorage, Alaska.