By Kyle LoJacono
For every 100 children who participate in Boys Scouts of America (BSA), only two ever reach the rank of Eagle Scout. Add Land O’ Lakes resident Sam Edley to the list.
The 17-year-old Sunlake High student earned the award Nov. 20 with a less-than-conventional final project. Instead of the traditional ideas of building, cleaning or replacing something, Sam decided to collect thousands of dollars worth of supplies for U.S. troops serving overseas.
“I got the idea when we did a service project with Mr. (Bob) Williams with Support Our Troops in Wesley Chapel,” Sam said. “We folded sheets that were sent to the troops because they didn’t have any clean ones and he told us they’re always looking for donations.”
Sam gave bags with flyers listing desired items to neighbors, relatives and members of his church, Our Lady of the Rosary in Land O’ Lakes. He was able to collect $19,000 worth of goods for the troops and an additional $500 to help pay for the shipping.
“I think it was a very good idea,” said Dave Edley, Sam’s father. “I didn’t realize what a lot of the troops overseas go without and this helps them be a little more comfortable.”
Dave’s father and Sam’s uncles on both sides of his family served in the armed forces.
Sam started getting thank you letters from those who received his care packages a few weeks after they went out. Williams even gave him an American flag that was flown on a plane overseas that was sent back by some of the troops.
“I wasn’t expecting anything like that,” Sam said. “That was very special to get.”
The Edleys put the flag in a glass case displayed in their living room.
Sam first joined scouting while in third grade. After graduating from Cub Scouts, the youth program of BSA, he joined Troop 33 in Land O’ Lakes. In all, he earned 34 merit badges.
“Scouting teaches you how to deal with many different kinds of people.” Sam said. “You also learn to check to make sure everyone did their job. You need to make sure the people who were supposed to buy the food for a campout did or you’re not going to eat for the weekend. It teaches you how to grow up.”
Maria Edley, Sam’s mother, has also seen the benefits of the program.
“The biggest change was in that first year,” Maria said. “They go from Cub Scouts where the parents do most of the planning to Boy Scouts where the boys run everything. It teaches them responsibility and each year he became more and more of a leader.”
For more information on scouting in the Tampa Bay area, visit www.boyscouting.com.
To help Support Our Troops
Support Our Troops is always in need of volunteer help to pack the supplies in boxes, for money to ship the boxes and for supplies to fill the boxes. To help, visit www.ourtroopsonline.com or call either (800) 367-3591 or (813) 991-9400. Checks can be mailed to Support Our Troops Attn: Bob Williams P.O. Box 7560 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544.
Letters to Sam
Sam,
Thank you for the care package with all the goodies and personal hygiene items. It is very much appreciated. Your package went to a health clinic that provides walk-in/outpatient medical care to soldiers and civilians who work at Kandahar Air Field. The clinic is made up of doctors, physician’s assistants, medics, supply, tech support, mechanics, mental health and command staff. We put the candy in containers that we also share with patients while they are waiting for
treatment.
I appreciate that you understand what it’s like for us soldiers. Most people go about their daily lives and forget we are here enduring long deployments away from family and friends, risking our lives, working very hard. We just sort of fade into the background. These care packages mean everything to us, not just because of the creature comforts they provide, but because they send a message we have not been forgotten.
Elaine Belson
Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan
Sam,
Thank you for the package of coffee, cookies and crackers. We really do appreciate the support from back home. We are a Navy expeditionary squadron in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are deployed to Al Asad Airbase, Iraq. We have about 180 personnel out here and appreciate all the goodies that you guys have been sending through Support Our Troops. We provide tactical warfare air support to troops on the ground.
Appreciate all the support and have attached picture of our entire squadron and a few of us chiefs. I’m in the middle holding the squadron flag.
Sean Webb
Al Asad, Iraq
Sam,
My name is Nick Amico and I am the team leader of an engineer military training team stationed at Joint Security Station India on the northern edge of Mosul, Iraq. We are a part of the 779th Engineer Battalion, which is a National Guard unit from Tallahassee. Our battalion’s mission is to provide construction support, conduct route clearance operations and partner with the Iraqi Army. Our team mission here at India is to mentor, train and partner with the soldiers and leadership of the second Iraqi Army Division’s field engineer regiment. Our goal is to help our Iraqi Army counterparts become completely self-sufficient for both combat/security operations and construction efforts. It has been a great experience working with the people here, learning their culture and helping develop their unit and capabilities.
I would like to thank you for your support of our soldiers deployed in Iraq. A couple of your packages were delivered here at India base by a resupply convoy last week. All of the members of my team greatly enjoyed the cookies and the little taste of home. Your show of support means a lot to the soldiers over here. Being separated from friends and family by nearly 7,000 miles for 12 months can, at times, be discouraging, but support from people like you helps to keep our spirits high. In contrast to most other bases in Iraq, JSS India is a very small facility lacking most of the amenities that we have grown accustomed to in the states. Despite this, we really enjoy being here and being an integral part of the final phase of ensuring a strong, sovereign Iraq.
Congratulations on the completion of your Eagle Scout service project. That is a tremendous achievement and shows your personal commitment and dedication. Considering all of the membership since 1910, only about 2 percent of Boy Scouts can claim the honor of Eagle Scout. Great work and congratulations. Thank you for all of your support.
Nick Amico
Mosul, Iraq
