Scouting has been in Iraq for more than 100 years, according to the VBC website. According to the World Organization of the Scout Movement, there are more than 28 million Scouts in 160 countries.
Eslinger, who is one of five Eagle Scouts in his immediate family, said he couldn’t divulge too many details about his scouting efforts in Iraq, but said “the troop we were with has girls and boys, and no (required) uniforms.”
He said the kids picked up English pretty well and, like Scouts in America, “they just get together to have fun and learn.”
While he was on leave in Centerville on June 26, Eslinger talked about his efforts and presented his former troop, Centerville Boy Scout Troop 116, with a flag that had flown at Sather Air Force Base in Baghdad.
“I knew he was coming, but it was a surprise to the boys,” Scoutmaster Erwin Grunwald said. “The boys were really impressed by seeing the flag.”
Samuel Marek, 12, is among the 37 members of Troop 116, which was chartered in 1940 and is believed to be the oldest Boy Scout troop in Centerville.
“I thought it was really kind of him,” said Samuel, a student at Tower Heights Middle School. “I thought it was really memorable that he brought the flag from where he was serving and from their Iraq Scout troop to ours.”
Both Samuel and fellow troop member Ben Bishop, 13, said they would like the opportunity to talk to the Iraqi children about their experiences.
“I would ask them how they feel about the Boy Scouts, and how they want to pursue the Scouts,” said Ben, who is working on his Eagle Scout project. “I also would want to know what it’s like to live under the conditions that are in those countries.”
Grunwald, a Washington Twp. resident whose two sons are Scouts, said he sees similarities between scouting and the military.
“(They both involve) working as a team, setting up in small groups and working to figure out who is a leader,” said Grunwald, adding that Scouts are taught to do the right thing, be a part of the outdoors and help others.
Eslinger backed up that claim: “I use stuff that I’ve learned (in Scouts) almost every single day.”
The Centerville resident, who left for his next assignment at Travis Air Force Base in California on July 1, said he isn’t sure when he will return to Iraq or if he will be able to rejoin his troop overseas.
“In California, I will look for a troop to hook on to as well,” Eslinger said. “I really enjoyed it as a kid, and I really like being a mentor.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7325 or jikelley@Dayton DailyNews.com.
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