[at-l] 1936 Scout 'Hike'

[rbenhameda@comcast.net (Rami)]

Exactly one of the questions I had...
This was supposed to have been organized as some form of publicity, yet none occurred.
Scouts goals are badges and awards.  When it became public knowledge that Earl had hiked the whole thing, the Scouts training should have kicked in and they would have made their claim known. 

At the very least, someone's mom should have said "My boy did that first!"

Human nature is always the same no matter what generation we're talking about...
people prefer to talk about themselves over any other subject
Parent's look out for the interests of their kids
In athletics, recognition is the goal.  How many marathoners do it in  private?  How many golfers don't brag about their score?  How many peak baggers don't log their latest peak?

For NO ONE to have tried to claim this prize, would have required all 6 of the scouts plus Mr. O'Grady (described as always there when needed, and very persuasive) and the Vet support crew plus all of the associated family members to go against this nature. 

Had this been described as a "communal nature walk" rather than a publicity event, I would have no difficulty with the fact that it never came to light until nearly 60 years after the fact.  I'm not saying it couldn't have happened, look at the Navajo Code Talkers as an example where dozens of people kept a secret for decades, but we're not talking about a secret are we?  We're talking about an *event* which was organized as being for publicity not secret.

Still none of this is proof of anything.  There probably is never going to be definitive proof on EITHER side of this argument.  There will be facts which support the claim and facts which contradict it and it will be up to each individual to choose which they believe.



-r (can anyone tell me where to get a subscription to "detective magazine"?)





  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: kahley 
  To: AT-L@backcountry.net 
  Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2002 9:46 AM
  Subject: Re: [at-l] 1936 Scout 'Hike'


  One question and if it's been A&A'ed..sorry.
  Why, if these scouts hiked the whole AT,
  did none of them ever say anything about it
  when the news hit that Earl had done it and
  was regarded as the first?  It would seem to
  me that the odds of none of the people involved
  as well as none of the people associated with
  the effort keeping mum is pretty slight.  I'd think
  that such an accomplishment would be treasured
  and the claim of another person would be countered
  immediately.
  If my kid did something so noteworthy, and then I
  hear someone else taking credit, I's speak up,
  wouldn't you?
  Regardless...Earl had to prove it.  The scouts should
  have been required to do likewise.
  Shame on the ATC!
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